After striking out in his only two plate appearances in the Nationals' 2011 spring training opener on Monday, Bryce Harper has finally gotten a hit. The 18-year old phenom pinch-hit for Jayson Werth and smacked a single in the fifth inning of the Nationals' 5-3 win over the New York Mets at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Fla. Tuesday afternoon.
Harper stepped to the plate against Petro Beato in the fifth inning and laced a 1-0 fastball to left field for a base hit. He ended up getting a second at-bat, where he grounded into a fielder's choice. Harper also spent some time playing in the field for the first time during spring training, replacing Werth in right field.
The Nationals ended up winning despite a shaky ninth inning during which they surrendered two runs. Reliever Drew Storen entered the game and promptly gave up a number of hard-hit balls, but the Nationals were still able to hold on and get the win.