Phillies beat skidding Nats, Hilliard suspended

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WASHINGTON — Bryce Harper had three hits against his old team, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the skidding Washington Nationals 5-3 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. Harper raised his average to .323. Washington has lost six straight, dropping to an NL-worst 23-44.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The NFL has suspended New York Giants linebacker Justin Hilliard without pay for the first two games of the regular season for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. The league announced the decision on Friday. Hilliard will be eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games. He will be allowed to return to the Giants' active roster on Sept. 19, following the team's game against Carolina. The former Ohio State player was awarded to the Giants on waivers in 2021. He played in two games.

NEW YORK (AP) — Kansas City infielder Nicky Lopez lost his salary arbitration case with the Royals and will get $2.55 million instead of his $2.9 million request, a decision that clinched management's third straight win. Teams lead 8-3 with just three cases pending. Miami catcher Jacob Stallings had his hearing with the Marlins, asking for $3.1 million while the club argued for $2.45 million. The last two cases are scheduled for next week, involving New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge and Atlanta left-hander Max Fried.

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens have signed linebacker Steven Means. The Ravens announced the move Friday. Means started 29 games for the Atlanta Falcons across the 2018, 2020 and 2021 seasons. Prior to that, he played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Means has six sacks and three forced fumbles in his career.

MONTREAL (AP)— Reaction is mixed throughout the Formula One paddock to a technical directive issued this week designed to address the dangerous bouncing of cars on the track. The effect known as porpoising has plagued some teams more than others, and none more than Mercedes. Both its drivers have complained about abuse to their bodies and the FIA said ahead of Sunday's race in Montreal that teams need to raise their cars to stop the bouncing. But teams that have not been as affected questioned why Mercedes can't solve the problem on its own.