JAYSON WERTH HOMERS TWICE TO PACE 12-RUN, 16-HIT ATTACK
Jayson Werth homered twice and Bryce Harper hit his league-leading 40th home run of the season to lead the Washington Nationals over the Philadelphia Phillies 12-2 at Citizen’s Bank Park.
Werth went 3 for 4 with a pair of solo shots and scored three times in support of Gio Gonzalez, who picked up his 11th win of the season following a five-hit, two run performance over seven innings, including 12 strikeouts — tying his career high.
The Nats (75-70) were already leading comfortably in the seventh inning when Harper delivered his moon-shot home run just over the wall in right-center. His 40th completed a 2-for-5 night and upped his RBI total to 92.
Anthony Rendon (2 for 4, 3 runs, 3 RBIs), Yunel Escobar (2 for 5, 2 RBIs), Jose Lobaton (2 for 3, run, 2 RBIs) and Clint Robinson (3 for 5, run) all added multi-hit games.
Felipe Rivero and Rafael Martin both pitched scoreless innings of relief.
With the New York Mets loss to Miami, the Nats trail in the division by 7 1/2 games with 17 to play.
NEXT GAME: Thursday at 7:05 against Miami Marlins. Tanner Roark (4-5, 4.38) hosts Jarred Cosart (1-4, 4.58)