Nationals 8 - 1 Phillies
Final
  for this game

Nationals-Phillies Preview

Apr 16, 2016 - 5:08 AM The Washington Nationals will have Max Scherzer on the mound Saturday night as they try to continue their best start in franchise history against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Washington has reeled off eight wins in nine games to start the season, opening this three-game series with Friday's 9-1 rout of the Phillies.

"I thought it was a good team (before the season)," Nationals manager DustyBaker said. "We can get a lot better."

Bryce Harper had three hits, including a home run, and drove in three runs to support 7 2-3 scoreless innings from Joe Ross. The Nationals have outscored opponents 30-10 during a six-game win streak and are off to their best nine-game beginning since the franchise was born in 1969 as the Montreal Expos.

"We're battling every day, having fun," Harper said. "We're pitching well, hitting well and we just want to keep it rolling."

Harper is 12 for 26 with six homers and 10 RBIs in his last six games at Citizens Bank Park. He's gone deep in four consecutive games there.

Scherzer (1-0, 4.15 ERA) looks to continue his success against the Phillies. He's 4-1 with a 2.25 ERA in six career starts versus Philadelphia, striking out 42 and walking just five in 40 innings.

The right-hander earned his first win Monday against Atlanta, allowing four runs and six hits in six innings.

Philadelphia's starting pitchers entered Friday combining to post a MLB-best 2.14 ERA, including Vince Velasquez's 16 strikeout, three-hit shutout on Thursday. However, Jeremy Hellickson was roughed up for six runs and seven hits in three innings in the opener.

"What a difference one day makes," manager Pete Mackanin said. "Like a roller-coaster ride."

The offense was just as bad, managing just four hits as the Phillies (5-6) were held under 10 for the 11th straight game, leaving them one off the pace of the 1967 team which did it in 12 consecutive contests to start that season.

Getting the call for the Phillies on Saturday will be young right-hander Aaron Nola (0-1, 3.21), who gave up four runs and six hits over seven innings in a 4-3 loss to San Diego on Monday. He struck out a career-high nine.

"He made one bad pitch, really," catcher Cameron Rupp said, referencing WilMyers' fourth-inning home run.

Nola has fanned 17 without a walk in his two starts, spanning 14 innings.

"I expected him to be poised," Mackanin said. "Because that's how he showed upto the big leagues last year."

Nola faced the Nationals twice a year ago, allowing six runs in 10 innings without recording a decision.

Anthony Rendon, Jayson Werth and Harper are a combined 7 for 16 against him, each with a homer.

Washington has won seven of eight in Philadelphia.






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