VIDEO: Harper's blast helps Nationals to 9-run 1st inning
On Saturday, all eyes at Nationals Park were focused solely on Max Scherzer as he navigated his way to a no-hitter after flirting aggressively with a perfect game.
On Sunday, though, the offense stole the show in the nation's capital.
During the first inning of Sunday's series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Nationals sent 12 men to the plate and tied a franchise record for runs in an inning after scoring nine times in the opening frame. Pirates right-hander Charlie Morton, meanwhile, recorded just two outs before being replaced by Vance Worley after being charged all nine runs on eight hits and one walk.
One of those hits, incidentally, landed in the second deck of the stadium, banished to bleachers by Bryce Harper, who recorded his 24th homer of the season and his second in as many games with his first-inning wallop.
(Courtesy: MLB.com)
"It was awesome," Harper told reporters. "Being able to do that in the first at-bat. Him being able to come out and enjoy that. Very cool moment. It was a good opportunity to get us on the board. Very happy we got that 'W' and got that sweep."
Washington would cruise to the 9-2 win.