Harper hits first homer since coming off DL

PHILADELPHIA -- If there was any good news in the Nationals' 6-2 loss to the Phillies on Friday night, it was that left fielder Bryce Harper hit his second home run of the season, a solo shot into the right-field stands in the seventh inning off right-hander A.J. Burnett. It was Harper's first home run since he came off the disabled list on June 30.

"He was real aggressive tonight," manager Matt Williams said. "He got the head out on the fastball. Hopefully, it's a sign of good things to come."

Harper finished 1-for-4 said he felt close to finding his stroke.

"I'm still trying to work every day and see how I feel," Harper said. "I'm really just coming in, getting my routine and just trying to have good ABs."

Harper missed two months of action because of torn ligaments in his left thumb, and it didn't help that he did not face any left-handers or see many breaking balls while he was on his rehab assignment.

"It's training the eyes, just trying to get back to it," Harper said. "I'm going to see 95-plus [mph] every day. It's two months off, coming back into it and trying to get everything going. It's going to be tough -- trying to get my routine everyday and see how I feel."