Bryce Harper did it again, extending his remarkable homer streak with a two-run shot in the bottom of the ninth inning that sent the Washington Nationals to a win over the Atlanta Braves 8-6 on Saturday.
Harper homered for the sixth time in his past three games, one off the major league record set by Shawn Green in 2002.
At 22, Harper had already become the youngest player in big-league history to hit five home runs in two games. His one-out drive pushed the Nationals over 0.500 for the first time this year.
Photo: USA Today
Harper homered three times against Miami on Wednesday and connected twice against Atlanta on Friday. Max Scherzer demonstrated the team’s newest victory celebration — he poured chocolate sauce over Harper during a post-game interview.
METS 3, PHILLIES 2
In Philadelphia, Juan Lagares homered and Jonathon Niese pitched seven strong innings to lead New York.
Niese (3-2) improved to 5-0 in his past seven starts against Philadelphia, surrendering two runs and five hits with six strikeouts and one walk. Neither of the runs was earned.
Lagares, not known for his power, lined Aaron Harang’s 1-0 pitch into the seats in the left with one out in the seventh to put the Mets up 3-2. The two-run homer, Lagares’ first of the season and ninth of his career, broke an 0-for-16 skid.
Harang (3-3), who was pitching on his 37th birthday, gave up three runs — two earned — and eight hits with two strikeouts and one walk in seven innings.
ASTROS 6, ANGELS 5
In Anaheim, California, Chris Carter and Colby Rasmus hit two-run homers, while Dallas Keuchel pitched into the seventh inning in Houston’s victory.
Jose Altuve also hit an early homer off Matt Shoemaker (2-3) for the American League West-leading Astros, who won for just the second time in six games following their 10-game winning streak.
Mike Trout homered and had three hits for the Angels, but was intentionally walked by Chad Qualls after Kole Calhoun’s two-out RBI double in the ninth.
Qualls then got Albert Pujols to ground to shortstop, completing his third save and ending Pujols’ 11-game hitting streak.
Keuchel (4-0) was not in his unhittable form from last month, but the left-hander remained unbeaten, while his ERA rose from 0.8 to 1.39.
PADRES 6, DIAMONDBACKS 4
In Phoenix, Arizona, Justin Upton made up for an earlier gaffe with a home run in the 12th inning as San Diego beat Arizona in a game that included Padres closer Craig Kimbrel’s first blown save since June last year.
Arizona forced extra innings when pinch-hitter Danny Dorn doubled in two runs off Kimbrel to tie it in the ninth.
Dorn, who has spent nearly all of his 10 professional seasons in the minors, lined Kimbrel’s pitch down the right field line after Jordan Pacheco walked and Aaron Hill singled. It was Dorn’s third hit, first for extra bases and first RBIs in the majors. He ended Kimbrel’s string of 35 consecutive saves, nine this season.
Upton, the ex-Diamondback whose ill-advised dive for David Peralta’s hit turned into an RBI triple in the fourth inning, also singled in a run in the ninth.
In other games on Saturday, it was:
‧ Marlins 6, Giants 2
‧ Blue Jays 7, Red Sox 1
‧ Royals 6, Tigers 2
‧ Twins 7, Indians 4
‧ Pirates 7, Cardinals 5
‧ Brewers 12, Cubs 4
‧ Rays 7, Rangers 2
‧ Mariners 7, Oakland 2
‧ Reds 10, White Sox 4, Game 1
‧ White Sox 8, Reds 2, Game 2
‧ Dodgers, Rockies: postponed
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