Harper leads Phils into uncharted territory

1915.

That's not the number of Phillies fans who packed Nationals Stadium in D.C. last night.

It's how far back you have to go to find the last year the Phillies started a season 4-0.

But even that comes in second fiddle to the big story from last night.

That would be Bryce Harper's return to D.C. for the the first time since signing that mega $330 million deal that will make him a Phillie for the next 13 years.

Yes, Harper got an earful from the Nationals' faithful. But he also was boosted by hundreds of Phillies fans who packed the right-field stands to support the Phils' newest superstar in his return to the nation's capital.

Harper did not disappoint.

The boos cascaded down on Harper, but it didn't seem to faze the slugger a bit. Even after he was struck out by starter Max Scherzer in the first inning.

But Harper wound up the night 3-for-5. But he saved his best for last. In the eighth inning he crushed a pitch off Nats' reliever Jeremy Hellickson. The ball landed 458 feet away in the second deck in right field. Harper took some time to admire his latest moon shot and then flipped his bat before starting his trot around the bases.

This is the kind of stuff that made Philly fans despise him when he played for Washington.

But they look pretty good in those red pinstripes.

Harper is now batting .429 with three homers and five RBIs in four games.

Columnist Jack McCaffery says it didn't take long for Harper to silence his critics in Washington.

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