The Nationals survived an early scare in the top of the second inning against the New York Mets on Monday when Bryce Harper was knocked woozy on a slide into second base, yet stayed in the game.
Harper was on first base after a leadoff walk in the top of the second inning and his team down 3-0. But on an ensuing ground ball to shortstop, Harper tried to break up a potential double play. He did that — Ian Desmond beat the return throw to first base — but in the process Harper caught the full brunt of the right shin and knee of New York second baseman Eric Young.
Harper lay motionless on the ground on his back for a short time and Washington trainers rushed onto the field to tend to him. After walking off slowly under his own power, Harper did return to his position in left field for the bottom of the second.
• Brian McNally can be reached at bmcnally@washingtontimes.com.
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