It was Bryce Harper’s historical grand slam that provided the oomph in the Washington Nationals’ latest win. This was Harpers’ 100th home run of his career.
Advertisement
Harper’s third homer of the season helped the Nationals (7-1) match the 1974 Montreal Expos for the franchise’s best eight-game start.
Download the new Sports Illustrated app (iOS or Android) and personalize your experience by following your favorite teams and SI writers.Bryce Harper hit his first grand slam to reach 100 career home runs, launching a shot that smashed a panel on an electronic signboard and sent the Washington Nationals over the Atlanta Braves 6-2 on Thursday.
Mark Teixeira hit a solo homer, his third, but NY failed to win its third straight.
At 23 years and 181 days old, Harper becomes the eighth-youngest in player in major league history to hit his 100th home run.
Harper crushed a 1-0 pitch from Julio Teheran off the second deck in right field with two outs in the third inning.
“Obviously, you guys know I’m not too thrilled about it”, Freeman said before game against Washington. In the third, however, leadoff hitter Jace Peterson singled, went to second on a sacrifice, took third on a groundout and scored on Nick Markakis’ opposite-field single. He allowed two runs on five hits to the Nationals over six innings in a no-decision on opening day. He joined Ryan Zimmerman and Ian Desmond as the only players to hit 100 home runs in a Nationals uniform, and he did so in fewer games.
The Blue Jays pulled away with a four-run eighth to gain a split of the first two games with the Yankees and the rubber match of the three-game set will be played on Thursday.
“Just wanted to get a good night’s sleep and get ready to go”, Roark (1-0) said of pitching a day earlier than planned. (We’re certain that some of you levelheaded folks in the comments section will also point this out). “But right now, the way he’s swinging and feeling, I think it was time”. I just kept telling myself just one pitch at a time.
Nationals: Manager Dusty Baker was uncertain whether Strasburg would be well enough to start Thursday. “I wish I could tell you, “Man, I’m hurting.’ But I’m not”.Freeman is batting”.
Advertisement
Braves: RHP Williams Perez (0-0) will start Friday’s series opener against the Marlins looking to improve upon his first start.
