WASHINGTON -- As Nationals star Bryce Harper took an awkward tumble in the wet outfield Thursday night, he felt something few associate with the brawny slugger:
Fear.
Harper might have escaped a serious injury, straining his left hamstring while making a throw in Washington's 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.
But with immense talent and injury ridden past, even Harper had trouble keeping calm.
"I've had problems with my left knee before -- I've had surgery on it," Harper said. "So you know, it was definitely really scary."
Manager Matt Williams said Harper had a mild strain and would be evaluated Friday. He gave no estimate on how long Harper might be out or whether he would need to go on the disabled list, though Harper indicated he may be day-to-day.
"Be smart about it, of course," Harper said. "I want to be in there, but if I don't feel right tomorrow, then maybe taking that day off might help me a little bit."
Harper is hitting .344 with 22 home runs and 52 RBI. A two-time All-Star at 22, he has dealt several lower body injuries through his career, and had surgery on his left knee after the 2013 season for a bursa sac. Harper also missed roughly a third of last season with a thumb ligament injury.
A prolonged absence would add to the injury difficulties for the Nationals, who lost three of four to the AL East-leading Rays to fall to one game above .500.
Doug Fister (2-3) came back from a month out with forearm tightness Thursday, but allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings. Starter Stephen Strasburg (neck tightness) could potentially return to the team after his next bullpen session.
Outfielder Jayson Werth is aiming for an Aug. 1 return from a left wrist contusion, and infielder Ryan Zimmerman went on the disabled list last week with plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
"It's time to step up. Everybody," Williams said. "We look forward to doing that tomorrow."
Harper fell on the damp grass while trying to throw home on Asdrubal Cabrera's single in the sixth inning. As he planted to throw, his right leg slipped and his left leg buckled.
Harper held his left leg while down on the ground for a few minutes and then gingerly walked off the field under his own power, escorted by members of the Nationals' training staff.
Harper's throw went wildly into the dugout during a four-run inning for Tampa Bay. There had been a 17-minute rain delay in the fourth.
"That wet surface played a big part in that, and it's a bummer it happened," Harper said.
Said Williams: "Conditions are conditions."
Joey Butler homered and pinch-hitter David DeJesus had a two-run triple for the AL East-leading Rays.
Chris Archer (8-4) won his fifth straight decision despite allowing three runs on a season-high eight hits in five innings. Brad Boxberger pitched the ninth for his 16th save.
"I think taking three of four from anybody is big," said Rays manager Kevin Cash. "We were fortunate to come out of here with three wins."
Yunel Escobar got five hits for the Nationals for the third time this season.
REUNITED
Rays outfielder Steven Souza Jr. joined Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann on the field pregame to accept the 2014 award for the the defensive play of the year from MLB.com. Last year with the Nationals, Souza's diving catch completed Zimmermann's no-hitter against the Miami Marlins on the final day of the regular season.
TRAINER'S ROOM:
Rays: Pregame rain prevented OF John Jaso (left wrist contusion) from taking on-field batting practice for the first time this season. "We wanted him out there and it didn't work out," Cash said. "He'll probably go ahead and take 500 swings now in the cage."
Nationals: Strasburg (neck tightness) was throwing on the field the day after a rehab start, and will throw a bullpen in the next couple days. . RHP Aaron Barrett (bicep strain) hasn't returned to throwing after going on the DL last Friday, Williams said.
UP NEXT:
Rays: A five-game road trip continues when RHP Nathan Karns (3-3, 3.67) faces Cleveland RHP Carlos Carrasco (8-5, 4.38)
Nationals: 22-year-old rookie RHP Joe Ross (1-1, 3.46) gets his third career start against Pittsburgh Pirates RHP A.J. Burnett, who will be making career start No. 418.
Fear.
Harper might have escaped a serious injury, straining his left hamstring while making a throw in Washington's 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.
But with immense talent and injury ridden past, even Harper had trouble keeping calm.
"I've had problems with my left knee before -- I've had surgery on it," Harper said. "So you know, it was definitely really scary."
Manager Matt Williams said Harper had a mild strain and would be evaluated Friday. He gave no estimate on how long Harper might be out or whether he would need to go on the disabled list, though Harper indicated he may be day-to-day.
"Be smart about it, of course," Harper said. "I want to be in there, but if I don't feel right tomorrow, then maybe taking that day off might help me a little bit."
Harper is hitting .344 with 22 home runs and 52 RBI. A two-time All-Star at 22, he has dealt several lower body injuries through his career, and had surgery on his left knee after the 2013 season for a bursa sac. Harper also missed roughly a third of last season with a thumb ligament injury.
A prolonged absence would add to the injury difficulties for the Nationals, who lost three of four to the AL East-leading Rays to fall to one game above .500.
Doug Fister (2-3) came back from a month out with forearm tightness Thursday, but allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings. Starter Stephen Strasburg (neck tightness) could potentially return to the team after his next bullpen session.
Outfielder Jayson Werth is aiming for an Aug. 1 return from a left wrist contusion, and infielder Ryan Zimmerman went on the disabled list last week with plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
"It's time to step up. Everybody," Williams said. "We look forward to doing that tomorrow."
Harper fell on the damp grass while trying to throw home on Asdrubal Cabrera's single in the sixth inning. As he planted to throw, his right leg slipped and his left leg buckled.
Harper held his left leg while down on the ground for a few minutes and then gingerly walked off the field under his own power, escorted by members of the Nationals' training staff.
Harper's throw went wildly into the dugout during a four-run inning for Tampa Bay. There had been a 17-minute rain delay in the fourth.
"That wet surface played a big part in that, and it's a bummer it happened," Harper said.
Said Williams: "Conditions are conditions."
Joey Butler homered and pinch-hitter David DeJesus had a two-run triple for the AL East-leading Rays.
Chris Archer (8-4) won his fifth straight decision despite allowing three runs on a season-high eight hits in five innings. Brad Boxberger pitched the ninth for his 16th save.
"I think taking three of four from anybody is big," said Rays manager Kevin Cash. "We were fortunate to come out of here with three wins."
Yunel Escobar got five hits for the Nationals for the third time this season.
REUNITED
Rays outfielder Steven Souza Jr. joined Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann on the field pregame to accept the 2014 award for the the defensive play of the year from MLB.com. Last year with the Nationals, Souza's diving catch completed Zimmermann's no-hitter against the Miami Marlins on the final day of the regular season.
TRAINER'S ROOM:
Rays: Pregame rain prevented OF John Jaso (left wrist contusion) from taking on-field batting practice for the first time this season. "We wanted him out there and it didn't work out," Cash said. "He'll probably go ahead and take 500 swings now in the cage."
Nationals: Strasburg (neck tightness) was throwing on the field the day after a rehab start, and will throw a bullpen in the next couple days. . RHP Aaron Barrett (bicep strain) hasn't returned to throwing after going on the DL last Friday, Williams said.
UP NEXT:
Rays: A five-game road trip continues when RHP Nathan Karns (3-3, 3.67) faces Cleveland RHP Carlos Carrasco (8-5, 4.38)
Nationals: 22-year-old rookie RHP Joe Ross (1-1, 3.46) gets his third career start against Pittsburgh Pirates RHP A.J. Burnett, who will be making career start No. 418.
| View: Play-By-Play | Pitch-By-Pitch | Inning: All | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Tampa Bay - Top of 1st | SCORE | |
|---|---|---|
| Doug Fister pitching for Washington | TB | WSH |
| Kiermaier singled to center. | 0 | 0 |
| Butler grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, Kiermaier out at second. | 0 | 0 |
| Longoria struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Washington - Bottom of 1st | SCORE | |
| Chris Archer pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | WSH |
| Span walked. | 0 | 0 |
| Rendon struck out swinging, Span stole second. | 0 | 0 |
| Escobar singled to right, Span to third. | 0 | 0 |
| Harper reached on infield single to shortstop, Span scored, Escobar to second. | 0 | 1 |
| Ramos walked, Escobar to third, Harper to second. | 0 | 1 |
| Espinosa grounded into fielder's choice to second, Escobar scored, Ramos out at second, Harper to third. | 0 | 2 |
| Desmond grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, Espinosa out at second. | 0 | 2 |
| 2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Doug Fister pitching for Washington | TB | WSH |
| Forsythe lined out to center. | 0 | 2 |
| Souza Jr. singled to left. | 0 | 2 |
| Cabrera singled to right, Souza Jr. to second. | 0 | 2 |
| Elmore singled to left, Souza Jr. scored, Cabrera to second. | 1 | 2 |
| Rivera flied out to right, Cabrera to third. | 1 | 2 |
| Archer struck out looking. | 1 | 2 |
| 1 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Washington - Bottom of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Chris Archer pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | WSH |
| Taylor reached on bunt single to pitcher. | 1 | 2 |
| Fister sacrificed to first, Taylor to second. | 1 | 2 |
| Span singled to shallow left, Taylor to third. | 1 | 2 |
| Rendon struck out swinging. | 1 | 2 |
| Escobar singled to right, Taylor scored, Span thrown out at home. | 1 | 3 |
| 1 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Doug Fister pitching for Washington | TB | WSH |
| Kiermaier lined out to center. | 1 | 3 |
| Butler grounded out to shortstop. | 1 | 3 |
| Longoria grounded out to shortstop. | 1 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Washington - Bottom of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Chris Archer pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | WSH |
| Harper grounded out to second. | 1 | 3 |
| Ramos lined out to right. | 1 | 3 |
| Espinosa singled to center. | 1 | 3 |
| Desmond grounded out to third. | 1 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 4th | SCORE | |
| Doug Fister pitching for Washington | TB | WSH |
| Forsythe doubled to left. | 1 | 3 |
| Souza Jr. safe at first on throwing error by third baseman Escobar, Forsythe to third. | 1 | 3 |
| Cabrera lined out to second. | 1 | 3 |
| Souza Jr. caught stealing second, catcher to second. | 1 | 3 |
| Elmore popped out to second. | 1 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 1 Errors | ||
| Washington - Bottom of 4th | SCORE | |
| Chris Archer pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | WSH |
| Taylor grounded out to third. | 1 | 3 |
| Fister singled to left center. | 1 | 3 |
| Span popped out to third. | 1 | 3 |
| Rendon grounded out to third. | 1 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 5th | SCORE | |
| Doug Fister pitching for Washington | TB | WSH |
| Rivera grounded out to third. | 1 | 3 |
| Archer struck out swinging. | 1 | 3 |
| Kiermaier lined out to left. | 1 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Washington - Bottom of 5th | SCORE | |
| Chris Archer pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | WSH |
| Escobar doubled to left. | 1 | 3 |
| Harper struck out swinging. | 1 | 3 |
| Ramos grounded out to pitcher, Escobar to third. | 1 | 3 |
| Espinosa grounded out to first. | 1 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 6th | SCORE | |
| Doug Fister pitching for Washington | TB | WSH |
| Butler homered to right (357 feet). | 2 | 3 |
| Longoria singled to right center. | 2 | 3 |
| Forsythe singled to left, Longoria to second. | 2 | 3 |
| Souza Jr. grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, Longoria out at third, Forsythe to second. | 2 | 3 |
| Cabrera singled to right, Forsythe to third, Souza Jr. to third, Forsythe and Souza Jr. scored, Cabrera to third on throwing error by right fielder Harper. | 4 | 3 |
| Robinson in right field. | 4 | 3 |
| Treinen relieved Fister. | 4 | 3 |
| DeJesus hit for Elmore. | 4 | 3 |
| DeJesus tripled to deep center, Cabrera scored. | 5 | 3 |
| Rivera struck out swinging. | 5 | 3 |
| Franklin hit for Archer. | 5 | 3 |
| Franklin struck out looking. | 5 | 3 |
| 4 Runs, 5 Hits, 1 Errors | ||
| Washington - Bottom of 6th | SCORE | |
| Brandon Gomes pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | WSH |
| Gomes relieved Archer. | 5 | 3 |
| Franklin at first base. | 5 | 3 |
| Desmond grounded out to third. | 5 | 3 |
| Taylor struck out swinging. | 5 | 3 |
| Uggla hit for Treinen. | 5 | 3 |
| Uggla grounded out to shortstop. | 5 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 7th | SCORE | |
| David Carpenter pitching for Washington | TB | WSH |
| Carpenter relieved Treinen. | 5 | 3 |
| Kiermaier grounded out to first. | 5 | 3 |
| Butler struck out swinging. | 5 | 3 |
| Longoria singled to center. | 5 | 3 |
| Longoria safe at second on throwing error by catcher Ramos. | 5 | 3 |
| Forsythe walked. | 5 | 3 |
| Longoria to third, Forsythe to second on wild pitch by Carpenter. | 5 | 3 |
| Souza Jr. fouled out to catcher. | 5 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 1 Errors | ||
| Washington - Bottom of 7th | SCORE | |
| Kevin Jepsen pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | WSH |
| Jepsen relieved Gomes. | 5 | 3 |
| Span singled to center. | 5 | 3 |
| Rendon grounded into double play, pitcher to shortstop to first, Span out at second. | 5 | 3 |
| Escobar singled to center. | 5 | 3 |
| Robinson walked, Escobar to second. | 5 | 3 |
| Ramos grounded out to first. | 5 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 8th | SCORE | |
| Casey Janssen pitching for Washington | TB | WSH |
| Janssen relieved Carpenter. | 5 | 3 |
| Cabrera flied out to left. | 5 | 3 |
| Guyer hit for Jepsen. | 5 | 3 |
| Guyer lined out to pitcher. | 5 | 3 |
| Rivera lined out to right. | 5 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Washington - Bottom of 8th | SCORE | |
| Jake McGee pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | WSH |
| McGee relieved Jepsen. | 5 | 3 |
| Espinosa doubled to deep left. | 5 | 3 |
| Desmond struck out looking. | 5 | 3 |
| Taylor struck out looking. | 5 | 3 |
| Moore hit for Janssen. | 5 | 3 |
| Moore lined out to center. | 5 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 9th | SCORE | |
| Felipe Rivero pitching for Washington | TB | WSH |
| Rivero relieved Janssen. | 5 | 3 |
| Franklin doubled to deep center. | 5 | 3 |
| Kiermaier flied out to left. | 5 | 3 |
| Butler grounded out to second, Franklin to third. | 5 | 3 |
| Longoria flied out to right. | 5 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Washington - Bottom of 9th | SCORE | |
| Brad Boxberger pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | WSH |
| Boxberger relieved McGee. | 5 | 3 |
| Span struck out swinging. | 5 | 3 |
| Rendon struck out looking. | 5 | 3 |
| Escobar singled to right center. | 5 | 3 |
| Robinson grounded out to first. | 5 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay Rays | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hitters | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | #P | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| Kiermaier CF | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | .252 | .290 | .417 |
| Butler LF | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 15 | .331 | .364 | .515 |
| Longoria 3B | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15 | .277 | .353 | .411 |
| Forsythe 2B | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 13 | .276 | .354 | .435 |
| Souza Jr. RF | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | .223 | .321 | .441 |
| Cabrera SS | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | .204 | .263 | .311 |
| Elmore 1B | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 13 | .288 | .326 | .375 |
a-DeJesus PH
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .305 | .357 | .455 |
Gomes P
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
Jepsen P
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
c-Guyer PH
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .278 | .356 | .389 |
McGee P
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | |
| Rivera C | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 17 | .161 | .201 | .264 |
| Archer P | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
b-Franklin PH-1B
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | .138 | .211 | .262 |
| Totals | 38 | 5 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 136 | |||
| a-tripled to deep center for J Elmore in the 6th b-struck out looking for C Archer in the 6th c-lined out to pitcher for K Jepsen in the 8th | ||||||||||
| BATTING 2B: Forsythe (14, Fister); Franklin (3, Rivero) 3B: DeJesus (1, Treinen) HR: Butler (5, 6th inning off Fister 0 on, 0 Out) RBI: Elmore (12), Butler (18), DeJesus (21) GIDP: Butler Rays RISP: 3-15 (Kiermaier 0-1, Longoria 0-1, Archer 0-1, Rivera 0-2, DeJesus 1-1, Elmore 1-2, Souza Jr. 0-3, Butler 0-1, Cabrera 1-2, Franklin 0-1) Team LOB: 7 | ||||||||||
| BASERUNNING CS: Souza Jr. (5, 2nd base by Fister/Ramos) | ||||||||||
| FIELDING DP: 1 (Jepsen-Cabrera-Franklin). Outfield Assist: Souza Jr. (Span at Home). | ||||||||||
Game Notes
| The game was delayed by rain 17 minutes in the fourth inning. |
| RF HARPER (MILD LEFT HAMSTRING STRAIN) LEFT GAME TOP 6TH |
Game Information
| Stadium | Nationals Park, Washington, D.C. |
| Attendance | 29,242 (70.7% full) - % is based on regular season capacity |
| Game Time | 3:02 |
| Weather | 77 degrees, cloudy |
| Wind | 3 mph |
| Umpires | Home Plate - Fieldin Culbreth, First Base - Jim Reynolds, Second Base - Manny Gonzalez, Third Base - Paul Schrieber |
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