It was a novelty when Bryce Harper came to Nationals Park in early April for the first time as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies.
No novelties now. Just do-or-die for the Nationals, who were treading water this weekend even though they crushed Arizona 15-5 Sunday to salvage a four-game series split at Nationals Park.
The Nationals (33-38) are 8 games back of first-place Atlanta and trail second-place Philadelphia by six in the National League East.
Washington will host the Phillies for four games starting Monday and then the Braves are at Nationals Park for three contests over the weekend.