Nationals’ Bryce Harper out of lineup Sunday after hit by pitch

Washington Nationals rightfielder Bryce Harper exited in the ninth inning of Saturday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park after being hit by a pitch from righthander Michael Blazek in the left knee.

Nationals rightfielder Bryce Harper is out of Washington’s lineup for Sunday’s series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park after he was hit in the left knee by a pitch on Saturday.

With one out in the top of the ninth and the Nationals leading 7–2, Harper came to bat. The third pitch of the at-bat from righthander Michael Blazek was a 95 MPH fastball that struck Harper in the left knee.

Matt den Dekker pinch-ran for Harper after he exited and remained in the game to play right field in the bottom of the ninth. The Nationals held on for a 7–2 win to improve to 32–30.

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Harper was 3-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored before exiting. His RBI single in the first inning gave the Nationals a 1–0 lead, and another RBI single in the sixth extended the lead to 7–2.

If Harper does sit out Sunday‘s game, it will be the second he has missed this season, both due to hit-by-pitches.

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- Mike Fiammetta