WASHINGTON (AP) — Bryce Harper showed up to Nationals Park, his old stomping grounds, about six hours before Wednesday night’s first pitch to get treatment for a bothersome back, then got a chance to stay off his feet a bit as the designated hitter instead of an outfielder.
All Harper did was smack a pair of homers to help his current club, the Philadelphia Phillies, keep their playoff hopes afloat — and push his former club, the Washington Nationals, to the brink of elimination a year after they won the World Series.
With Harper leading the way, and homers from Andrew McCutchen, Didi Gregorius and Andrew Knapp, too, the Phillies beat the Nationals 12-3 Wednesday night.