Harper posts rare stat line in Nationals' rout of Braves

Bryce Harper wasn't 100 percent healthy Thursday night, but his intimidating presence was enough to help him achieve an extremely rare stat line.

The Washington Nationals outfielder walked four times, scored four times, and faced 20 pitches without swinging in the club's 15-1 rout of the Atlanta Braves, becoming the first player in more than 100 years to record such a stat line.

"I've got confidence in everybody on our team to get a job done behind me," said Harper, who played despite having glute tightness. "I'll take my walks when I can. And when they throw the ball over the plate, I'll take my hits, too."

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

Harper's four walks matched his career high, which he set earlier this season against the Colorado Rockies. He joins Larry Doby (1951), Joe Morgan (1973), and Rickey Henderson (1989) as the only players to score four runs without an official at-bat since 1914.

The MVP candidate also recorded an RBI before being removed in the sixth inning with the game well in hand. His productive night raised his slash line to .331/.464/.627 with 31 homers and 79 RBIs through 126 games.

"He's taking the steps necessary to make himself the player he wants to be, knowing that he's got to be aggressive in the strike zone," manager Matt Williams said. "If they throw him one to hit in a situation where he can drive a baseball or get a knock or get on there for us, he's ready to do that."

Washington moved within six games of the idle New York Mets for top spot in the National League East with the victory.