Scherzer, Harper lead Nats to sixth straight win, 2-1

The Phillies used a pair of doubles from Ryan Howard and Odubel Herrera in the second inning to take a 1-0 lead. Howard's two-bagger led off the inning, but Max Scherzer caught him in between second and third on Maikel Franco's grounder back to the mound moments later. It looked like Scherzer may get out of the inning unscathed until Herrera slammed one off the center field wall, scoring Franco.

The rookie Herrera is now 10-for-26 against the Nats this year and 4-for-8 against Scherzer.

The Phillies' lead didn't last long though, as Bryce Harper answered with an opposite field blast to lead off the bottom of the inning. The solo shot is Harper's third against Phillies starter Sean O'Sullivan this year. It also ties Harper with Seattle's Nelson Cruz for the major league-lead with 16 homers.

It was a tremendous at-bat from Harper, who fell behind 0-2 before drilling O'Sullivan's sixth pitch into the left field seats.

Update: Scherzer helped his own cause in the sixth. He led off with his fourth hit of the season, a line drive single to right. Two batters later, Ian Desmond nailed a 2-1 slider from O'Sullivan off the center field wall for a double. Scherzer motored all the way around first, briefly stumbling rounding third, to score standing up.

On the mound, Scherzer has thrown five straight scoreless innings since surrendering the lone run in the second. He has allowed only four hits with one walk and six strikeouts. Scherzer has thrown 97 pitches through seven innings.

Update II: Scherzer was brilliant in eight strong innings, giving up one run on four hits with one walk and six strikeouts.

Closer Drew Storen claimed his 13th save despite giving up two hits in the ninth.

The Nats beat the Phillies 2-1 for their sixth straight win.