Harper hurts the Phillies again (Nats fall 4-3, allow three in ninth)

The Nationals' Bryce Harper continues to make baseball life difficult for the Phillies.

In the bottom of the first, Harper hit a scorching line drive over the right-center field wall to give the Nationals a 1-0 lead. The homer was his 12th of the season and came on a 2-1 pitch. He has now hit 20 homers off the Phillies, second most to the 21 he has hit off the Marlins.

Anthony Rendon hit his first triple of the season in the next at-bat, but the Nats were unable to bring him home.

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez has allowed one hit and one walk through two innings, but no runs.

In the bottom of the second, Adam Lind led off with a single and went to third on a Gonzalez single and a throwing error by Phillies right fielder Daniel Nava. But with two outs, Trea Turner lined out to second base to end the threat.

After two innings, the Nationals lead the Phillies 1-0.

Update: Turner added to the Nationals advantage with a home run to left field in the fifth. Michael A. Taylor singled and went to second on a Gonzalez sacrifice bunt. Turner brough him home with his fourth homer of the season. The Nationals lead 3-0 after five innings. Jeremy Hellickson lasted only five innings, allowing three runs on two homers and six hits overall, with no walks and one strikeout. He tossed 75 pitches, 49 for strikes.

Gonzalez has four strikeouts and three double plays over six innings. Mid-sixth, the Nationals lead the Phillies 3-0.

Update II: Tommy Joseph smacked a solo homer with one out in the seventh. With two outs, Cameron Rupp singled and that was it for Gonzalez. The Nats starter went 6 2/3 innings, allowing only one run on four hits with three walks and five strikeouts. He threw 112 pitches, 63 for strikes.

In the double switch, Ryan Zimmerman took over first base and Matt Albers came in to pitch.

After seven innings, the Nationals lead the Phillies 3-1.

Update III: Shawn Kelley pitched the ninth for the Nationals. Aaron Altherr started with a solo homer into the Phillies bullpen on a 3-2 pitch. It was his eighth homer of the season. Following a Joseph popout, Maikel Franco smacked a double deep off the center field wall. Rupp doubled to left and the game is tied at 3-3. Kelley walked Freddy Galvis and then was lifted for Koda Glover.

Glover allowed a go-ahead RBI single to Ty Kelley, which scored pinch-runner Andrew Knapp, and the Philies lead 4-3. César Hernández loaded the bases one out later with a single to Daniel Murphy. Nava grounded out to end the barrage. The Phillies scored three runs on five hits. Mid-ninth, the Phillies lead 4-3.

Update IV: The Nationals get a single from Matt Wieters to start the ninth but are unable to generate any more offense. Kelley gets the loss and the blown save.

The Phillies beat the Nationals 4-3.