WASHINGTON -- After having success in batting Bryce Harper in the leadoff spot on Tuesday, the Nationals decided to try it again for Wednesday night's game against the Pirates. Harper promptly responded, swatting his first career leadoff home run, which set the pace for another big night for Washington's offense in a 9-3 victory at Nationals Park.
Switching Harper up in the batting order was an effort to get him more pitches to hit, and so far the move has worked out. The outfielder went 3-for-5 with a stolen base and three RBIs, including to his 10th home run of the season, which was hammered 416 feet over the center-field wall against right-hander Ivan Nova.