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 It was the third successive win for Washington (74-70), who gained
ground in the National League East after the New York Mets (83-62)
lost to the Miami Marlins.
For Strasburg, it was a strikeout number he had not reached since
his highly anticipated debut on June 8, 2010.
For Harper, it was a continuation of his surge for the National
League MVP award.
"You appreciate the effort and special talent they both have,"
Nationals manager Matt Williams said of the duo of former top
overall draft picks. "And it can be that special on any given
night."
Harper went 3-for-3 with a solo homer, two-run shot and an RBI
single and raised his home run total to 39, which put him ahead of
Colorado's Nolan Arenado for the National League lead.
Strasburg (9-7) was as excellent during his eight-inning outing as
he notched his 19th career game with 10 or more strikeouts and
second successive game after he struck out 13 New York Mets on Sept.
9.
Third baseman Cody Asche's leadoff single in the fifth inning was
the only hit against Strasburg.
The Phillies did not have a runner reach second base the entire
game, and the only other batter to reach base was shortstop Freddy
Galvis, who drew a first-inning walk.
"That's probably one of the best, if not the best pitched game I've
seen all year," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said in reference to
Strasburg.
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Strasburg, who has had two separate disabled-list stints this
season, established his fastball early and then worked in his
off-speed pitches later to keep Philadelphia hitters off-balance.
"It's a feel thing," Strasburg said. "You have to trust your
instincts and go out there and battle."
Blake Treinen completed the one-hitter by throwing a perfect ninth
inning.
Harper's first-inning home run was a solo shot before he hit a
single that brought home third baseman Yunel Escobar in the third
inning and then a two-run shot in the eighth that also scored
Escobar.
"He's matured as a hitter and as a player," Strasburg said of
Harper.
"When you have a professional approach like he does, you can see
what his talent can do."
(Compiled by Greg Stutchbury)
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