Harper, Espi Power Nats Win Over O's

Falling the previous night on a walk-off home run, the Nats were looking to rebound in the Beltway Series against their crosstown rival Orioles.  Entering the game, Washington had lost three straight and the bats have struggled.

Trailing 1-0, the Nats grabbed a 2-1 lead on RBI's by Ian Desmond and Michael Taylor in the top of the second.  The birds regained the lead with home runs from Caleb Joseph and Steve Pearce, 4-2.  The Nats would rally in the top of the sixth.  Bryce Harper had never hit a home run against the Orioles but that all changed when he led off the sixth with a home run into the right-center field seats.  Three batters later and two men on, Danny Espinosa smacked a three run homer over the right field wall.  The Nats added an insurance run in the ninth thanks to an RBI single by Taylor to win the game 7-4.

Jordan Zimmermann got the win and Drew Storen finished the game with a save.  With the curly W the Nats remain two games in front of the Mets in the NL East standings.  The first half of the season wraps up today with game three of the Battle of the Beltway.  First pitch is at 1:35 p.m.