Strasburg strikes out 14, Harper homers twice (Nats win 4-0)

PHILADELPHIA - Phillies starter David Buchanan has been laboring through his second season in the majors. Buchanan brought a 9.11 ERA into tonight's game with the Nationals and proceeded to fire a fastball behind Bryce Harper on the opening pitch of their first meeting.

Harper stared back at Buchanan while the Nationals dugout chirped. Two pitches later, Harper deposited another Buchanan heater over the wall in center for a two-out solo homer. The Nats slugger stood and admired the titanic blast before trotting around the bases.

Harper's 38 taters ties him atop the National League with Colorado's Nolan Arenado. Harper's next longball will give him the second most in a single season in Nationals history trailing only Alfonso Soriano's 46 in 2006.

Update: Yunel Escobar roped a one-out double to right-center field in the third. Harper followed with a base knock up the middle plating Escobar. It was Harper's 88th RBI of the season.

Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg has allowed one baserunner on a walk through three innings.

Update II: Cody Asche picked up the first hit against Strasburg with a single to start the fifth. Strasburg has struck out nine through five innings.

Update III: Strasburg fanned the side in the seventh to reach 13 strikeouts for the second straight start.

Harper smacked a two-run homer to left in the eighth to extend the Nats' lead to 4-0. He has driven in all four runs tonight. Harper now leads the NL with 39 home runs.

Update IV: Strasburg picked up his 14th strikeout in the eighth, matching his single-game career high acheived in his major league debut.

Strasburg threw eight scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk with 14 strikeouts. He threw 105 pitches.

Update V: Right-hander Blake Treinen finished off the Phillies with a perfect ninth.

The Nationals beat the Phillies 4-0.