Bryce Harper hit two home runs to lead the Washington Nationals to an 8-4 victory over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night.
The much-needed victory snapped a five-game losing streak for the Nationals, who currently sit five games ahead of the Atlanta Braves for the NL East lead.
The uber-hyped rookie Harper, who seemed to take a backseat this season to Los Angeles Angels phenom Mike Trout, appears to be in great company as he continues his own successful rookie campaign.
According to ESPN Stats & Info:
Bryce Harper: 1st career multi-HR game-- 14 HR this season. His 14 total HR as teen are tied for 4th all-time. Want to guess who has most?
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 30, 2012
However, Harper's evening ended on a sour note when he was ejected in the top of the ninth inning by first-base umpire C.B. Bucknor. Harper had grounded into a 3-6-1 double play and was thrown out by Bucknor after he spiked his helmet in frustration.
Ross Detwiler picked up his eighth win of the season, missing a quality start by just one-third of an inning, allowing just three runs in 5.2 innings.
While not an official situation, the Nationals' Drew Storen finished the game with just six pitches in a perfect ninth inning.
After a quick two-game series with the Marlins, the Nationals will host the St. Louis Cardinals for a four-game weekend set.
Head over to Federal Baseball and SB Nation DC for more on the Nationals. For more on the Marlins, be sure to check out Fish Stripes and SB Nation Tampa Bay. Also, be sure to check out Baseball Nation, your source for news, notes and analysis around Major League Baseball.