Bryce Harper homered using a patriotic bat as the Washington Nationals beat the San Francisco Giants 9-3 on Saturday, despite Stephen Strasburg exiting in the fourth inning with tightness in his left side.
The bat was painted blue with white stars. It was also illustrated with the US flag and a silhouette of the DC skyline, including the Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument — all in navy blue and white.
Rain delayed the game’s scheduled first pitch by 19 minutes. Washington’s offense got to Madison Bumgarner (8-5) quickly with four consecutive hits, including home runs by Michael Taylor and Harper.
Photo: AP
Tanner Roark (4-3) earned the win after pitching 4-1/3 innings in relief of Strasburg.
WHITE SOX 3, ORIOLES 2
In Chicago, Avisail Garcia robbed Chris Davis of a tying home run with a leaping catch in the ninth inning as the White Sox held off the Orioles.
J.B. Shuck put Chicago in front with a pinch-hit double in the eighth. Gordon Beckham scored the go-ahead run after he walked and advanced on a sacrifice bunt against Bud Norris (2-8), who was just demoted to the bullpen. Shuck then doubled to right field off Darren O’Day.
David Robertson earned his 18th save in 22 opportunities — with a huge assist from Garcia. The right fielder jumped and reached behind him over the wall to take a home run away from Davis with one out in the ninth.
Manny Machado hit a two-run homer for the Orioles to tie it at 2-all in the eighth. Machado connected against Zach Putnam (2-3), who replaced Jeff Samardzija after he walked the previous batter.
TIGERS 8, BLUE JAYS 3
In Detroit, Michigan, J.D. Martinez homered and David Price pitched seven strong innings as the Tigers beat the Blue Jays.
Alex Avila made the day’s most spectacular defensive play, diving into the crowd far down the right-field line to retire Russell Martin in the fourth inning.
Price (8-2) pitched seven innings, giving up one run on eight hits and a walk, striking out seven. The Tigers are now 14-3 when he starts and 27-36 with anyone else.
R.A. Dickey (3-9) took the loss, allowing five runs on 11 hits and two walks in 5-2/3 innings.
In other results, it was:
‧ Cubs 7, Marlins 2
‧ Yankees 3, Rays 2
‧ Red Sox 6, Astros 1
‧ Cardinals 2, Padres 1
‧ Athletics 2, Mariners 0
‧ Pirates 1, Indians 0
‧ Braves 9, Phillies 5
‧ Dodgers 4, Mets 3
‧ Twins 5, Royals 3
‧ Brewers 7, Reds 3
‧ Angels 13, Rangers 0
‧ Diamondbacks 7, Rockies 3
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