WASHINGTON (AP) — Bryce Harper had three hits against his old team, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the skidding Washington Nationals 5-3 Friday in a doubleheader opener for their 13th win in 15 games.
Nick Castellanos drove in two runs and scored another for the Phillies, who improved to 12-2 under interim manager Rob Thomson. Philadelphia’s 10-game winning streak against the Nationals is its longest against the franchise since 10 in a row against 1991 Montreal Expos.
The Phillies moved three games over .500 for the first time this season.
“Guys are in good moods in the clubhouse,” Castellanos said. “We’re playing loose. We’re happy. If that translates to wins, I don’t know.”
Washington has lost six straight, dropping to an NL-worst 23-44. Josh Bell homered for the Nationals, who have lost nine of 11 overall and nine straight home games to the Phillies.
Playing a makeup of a game postponed by the lockout on a 91-degree afternoon, the Phillies staked starter Ranger Suárez to a 2-0 lead before he threw a pitch thanks to Castellanos’ two-run double off Joan Adon (1-11).
Castellanos was in the middle of Philadelphia’s rally in the third, following Harper’s single by poking a double to right that Juan Soto appeared to misjudge. Odúbel Herrera had a run-scoring groundout and Alec Bohm hit an RBI double to give the Phillies a 4-0 lead.
Castellanos is batting .359 (14 of 39) in his last 11 games and is a .435 hitter (10 of 23) with nine RBIs in six career games at Nationals Park.
“That’s when he’s good, when he’s using the entire field,” Thomson said. “He’s got a couple of walks in the last couple of days, which is good for him. He’s driving the ball and using the gaps, so it’s a good sign.”
Washington managed one run in…