Nationals Crush Phillies, 9-1

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bryce Harper had three hits, including a home run, and drove in three runs, and Joe Ross allowed three hits in 7 2/3 shutout innings to help the Washington Nationals to their best start in club history with a 9-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night.

Jayson Werth added two doubles and three RBIs, and Michael Taylor also went deep for Washington, which improved to 8-1 to mark the best nine-game beginning since the franchise was born in 1969 as the Montreal Expos.

Ross (2-0) struck out five and walked two. The 22-year-old, facing the Phillies for the first time, retired 12 straight before Freddy Galvis' two-out single in the eighth ended his night.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.