Harper Hits Tiebreaking Homer In 7th, Nationals Beat Marlins
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Bryce Harper hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the seventh inning, sending the Washington Nationals over the Miami Marlins 5-3 on Friday night.
Harper, playing while he appeals a one-game suspension for his behavior following an ejection on Monday, walked his first two times up and singled in the fifth.
It was 2-all in the Washington seventh when Anthony Rendon drew a leadoff walk. Harper followed by working the count full against Kyle Barraclough (2-1), then hitting his 11th home run. Miami had no left-handers in its bullpen for the game to face the lefty Harper.
Stephen Drew had a two-run, pinch-hit homer in the Nationals sixth that made it 2-all. Pinch hitter Chris Heisey added a solo homer in the eighth.
Blake Treinen (3-1) pitched two innings and Jonathan Papelbon got the final two outs for his 10th save.
Giancarlo Stanton had a double and a single for Miami.
Manager Don Mattingly called on right-hander Bryan Morris to face the lefty Drew with two outs in the sixth. Drew hit his second homer of the season.
A leadoff walk and two errors by second baseman Daniel Murphy led to two Miami runs in the fifth.
Murphy botched a potential double-play grounder with no outs, and later threw wildly to first base on a play that culminated with two Marlins coming in to score.
The first three Marlins singled off Washington starter Gio Gonzalez to load the bases in the sixth, but relievers Yusmeiro Petit and Oliver Perez picked up a strikeout and a double play.
Following Max Scherzer's 20-strikeout effort Wednesday night, Gonzalez allowed only one baserunner through four innings. He went five innings plus three batters, allowing two unearned runs and striking out seven with two walks.
Marlins starter Tom Koehler was charged with a run on six hits in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out four and walked five.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: Mattingly said LH reliever Joe Beimel, signed by Miami on Wednesday, was undergoing his physical Thursday before reporting to extended spring training.
Nationals: Gonzalez took a single from J.T. Realmuto off his lower right leg in the fifth, but stayed in the game.
UP NEXT
Washington RHP Stephen Strasburg makes his first start since agreeing to a seven-year, $175 million deal Tuesday in the opener of Saturday's day-night doubleheader. Strasburg (5-0, 2.76) will be opposed by LHP Justin Nicolino (2-0, 2.79).
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