Rhys Hoskins has worn a two-sided flap helmet ever since he broke his jaw by fouling a pitch off his face.

Any chance the Philadelphia Phillies slugger keeps it on all season?

You bet Armani Watts Color Rush Jersey , Hoskins says. His numbers have been jaw-dropping in the three weeks since he returned, and he’s superstitious enough not to mess with a good thing.

”I was able to step back, simplify things, and it’s going well,” Hoskins said.

Aaron Nola pitched into the eighth inning to win his 10th game of the season, Hoskins homered again and the Philadelphia Phillies started a pivotal division series by beating the Washington Nationals 4-3 on Thursday night.

Hoskins hit a two-run shot in the seventh inning for his 13th home run of the year and a 4-1 lead that propelled the Phillies within two games of idle Atlanta for first place the NL East. The Phillies took two of three last weekend in Washington, and both teams entered this four-game set within striking distance of the Braves.

”We keep inching closer to the Braves, and it’s a good division,” Nola said. ”I think it’s going to be a battle to the end.”

Nola Authentic Jonathan Drouin Jersey , who beat the Nationals in his last outing, pitched again like an All-Star and hasn’t lost in six turns since May 26. Nola (10-2) struck out eight and walked only two over 114 pitches and 7 2/3 sensational innings. He has won seven straight decisions at home dating to last season.

”I think it’s everything. The fans, the mound,” Nola said. ”It just feels good.”

Nola got Bryce Harper swinging to open the game and fanned Trea Turner with runners on the corners to end the sixth. Washington pinch-hitter Brian Goodwin went down looking to end the seventh, Nola’s seventh strikeout of the game. Harper struck out swinging again in the eighth.

Adam Morgan relieved Nola and retired the last batter in the eighth. Tommy Hunter allowed two runs in the ninth on an RBI single by Turner and an RBI double by Michael A. Taylor, before Seranthony Dominguez got the final two outs for his sixth save.

JUNE SWOON

Pedro Severino had an RBI double in the second for a 1-0 lead and the first run for the Nationals since Sunday. They were outscored 12-0 in a two-game set at Toronto earlier this week.

”We’re going to snap out of this. We really are,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. ”We had a couple of chances to score some runs. We couldn’t do it.”

The Phillies tied the game in the second when the center fielder Taylor overran Jorge Alfaro’s single up the middle. That allowed Maikel Franco to score, and Scott Kingery made it 2-1 on a sacrifice fly off Nationals starter Tanner Roark (3-9) in the third.

Roark struck out five while allowing only one earned run over six innings for the Nationals, who fell to 4-12 since June 9.

HUNGRY HOSKINS

Franco had two doubles and Hoskins hit one for a Phillies team that followed two straight losses to the New York Yankees with its second straight victory.

Hoskins Jaire Alexander Jersey , who became the fastest Phillie on Wednesday to reach 30 career homers, in 119 games played, continued his leadership of the lineup since he was reinstated from the disabled list on June 9. The Phillies have won 11 of 17 since he returned and are 41-29 overall in games Hoskins has played.

Hoskins ate a burger this week for the first time since he was hurt in late May. He’s feasted on the opposition all month.

”The thing that stands out the most to be will always be how he manages an at-bat for a young player,” Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said. ”The home runs are impressive. There’s no question about it. The power production is impressive.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Nationals: RHP Stephen Strasburg (shoulder) could throw a bullpen session over the weekend. He played catch before Thursday’s game. … 3B Ryan Zimmerman (back) could begin a rehab assignment next week.

Phillies: RHP Jerad Eickhoff (nerve) threw a bullpen session and will head to Florida for live batting practice. … RHP Pat Neshek (shoulder), who has not pitched yet this season, will make a rehab outing Friday at Double-A Reading.

UP NEXT

Nationals: RHP Erick Fedde (0-3, 5.32 ERA) makes his second straight start against the Phillies.

Phillies: RHP Nick Pivetta (4-6, 4.06 ERA) goes for his first career win against the Nationals in three career starts.

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8. CHICAGO BEARS (5-11)

LAST SEASON: Bears went 5-11 and finished last in NFC North for fourth straight year, then fired coach John Fox after three losing seasons. GM Ryan Pace got contract extension through 2021 and hired Andy Reid protege Matt Nagy as new head coach Youth Jihad Ward Jersey , hoping he can get most out of QB Mitchell Trubisky. Wide receivers were major weakness, with Cameron Meredith (left knee) out for season and Kevin White (shoulder) sidelined most of year. Chicago's leading receiver was Kendall Wright 鈥?now with Minnesota 鈥?with 59 receptions for 614 yards. RBs Jordan Howard (1,122 yards), Tarik Cohen (370 yards rushing, 353 receiving) were formidable tandem, though Howard struggled to catch passes. Bears' defense ranked 10th overall despite injuries to several key players, including LB Leonard Floyd.

THEY NEED: OL, WR, DL Brian O'Neill Jersey Elite , LB, DB.

THEY DON'T NEED: QB, TE, P.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: G Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame; LB Roquan Smith, Georgia.

OUTLOOK: Pace's No. 1 offseason goal was to surround Trubisky with pieces to help lift franchise with one playoff appearance since 2006 Super Bowl season. Drafting Nelson would fit with that plan, though Smith is potential linchpin defensive player for Monsters of Midway. Bears have hole at guard after declining option on four-time Pro Bowler Josh Sitton. G Kyle Long also recovering from several surgeries. Nelson also played for Bears OL coach Harry Hiestand at Notre Dame. Smith would give Chicago needed playmaker on defense. Bears could use more depth at WR, though signing prized free agent Allen Robinson addressed need for top target. Chicago also brought in Taylor Gabriel and Bennie Fowler while deciding not to match New Orleans' offer sheet for Meredith.

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