Phillies outfielder Werth homers in first three at-bats

PHILADELPHIA -- Jayson Werth homered in his first three at-bats and tied a Philadelphia Phillies record with eight RBI against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night.

Werth hit an 0-1 pitch off Blue Jays starter David Purcey for a three-run home run to right field in the second inning and followed with a 425-foot grand slam to right on a 3-1 pitch against Purcey in the third.

Werth then connected for a solo shot to left-center in the fifth off reliever Jesse Litsch on a 2-1 pitch to make the score 9-2.

Werth set career highs for homers and RBI and became the 18th Phillies player to hit three homers in a game. Ryan Howard was the last Philadelphia player to hit three. He did it on Sept. 3, 2006, against Atlanta in the first game of a doubleheader.

Werth also tied a franchise record for RBI held by four others, most recently accomplished by Mike Schmidt in a 10-inning game at Chicago on April 17, 1976. The others are, Kitty Bransfeld (1910), Gavvy Cravath (1915) and Willie Jones (1958).