Harper's 2-run double in 8th lifts Nationals past Braves 2-1


WASHINGTON (AP) Bryce Harper sliced a two-run double to left with two outs in the eighth inning, lifting Washington past Atlanta 2-1 on Tuesday night for the Nationals' 12th consecutive home victory against the Braves.
Harper, the reigning NL MVP, broke a scoreless tie by connecting with the first pitch delivered by left-handed reliever Eric O'Flaherty after righty Jim Johnson (0-2) put two runners on. The hit hooked toward the line and away from left fielder Jeff Francoeur, who dove in a bid to make a catch but had the ball go off his glove.
Harper yelled and clapped while standing on second base, and Nationals manager Dusty Baker punched the air in the home dugout.
It made a winner of Blake Treinen (2-0), who got Francoeur to ground into a bases-loaded 6-4-3 double play to end the eighth.
