Harper hits 3 HRs in first 3 ABs for Nationals

WASHINGTON (AP) Bryan Harper hit three home runs in his first three at-bats for the Washington Nationals against Miami, then grounded out in what was likely

WASHINGTON (AP) Bryan Harper hit three home runs in his first three at-bats for the Washington Nationals against Miami, then grounded out in what was likely his final trip to the plate..

Harper hit a solo shot in the second inning, a two-run drive in the third and a bases-empty homer in the fifth. The latter two landed in the upper deck.

All the home runs were against Marlins right-hander Tom Koehler, and each came on the second pitch of the at-bat.

With a chance to tie the major league record of four homers in a game, Harper hit a run-scoring groundout to second base against Sam Dyson in the seventh inning.

It was the first three-homer game for the left-handed hitting Harper. He previously hit two in a game on five occasions.

Harper is the fourth Nationals player to hit three in one game. He follows Alfonso Soriano, Adam Dunn and Ryan Zimmerman.