Jason Werth proved once again that he deserves a spot in the Phillies’ lineup Friday, belting three home runs, including his first career grand slam, and knocking in eight RBIs.

He hit his first home run, a three run shot, in the second inning, scoring the Phillies’ first runs. The next inning, with one out and the bases loaded, Werth nailed a fastball from Toronto rookie pitcher David Purcey into right field, the ball careening off the second deck railing. Cue curtain call.

The score was now 8-0, effectively ending the night for Purcey, only his second major league start. Welcome to the big leagues, Mr. Purcey.

Werth followed it all up with his third home run in his third at bat, a solo shot to left center. Cue curtain call #2.

Werth’s stellar power surge overshadowed a good effort by Phillies starter Jamie Moyer, who gave up only three runs on 6 1/3 innings to improve to 3-3. Werth tied a Phillies single-game record with eight RBIs, becoming only the fifth to do so and the first since Mike Schmidt, who hit eight on April 17, 1976. He also became the first Phillies to hit three home runs in a game since Ryan Howard did it on September 3, 2006 against Atlanta.

I had the fortune of attending tonight’s game, one I almost didn’t go to because of the weather. Unfortunately for Werth, his performance was viewed by a mostly empty stadium, but you almost couldn’t tell with the raucous ovations the fans gave him. It was a night werthy of the record books.