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Harper accepts 1-game ban after dropping appeal

The Washington Post / Getty

Washington Nationals superstar Bryce Harper has dropped his appeal and will serve a one-game suspension in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Miami Marlins.

The ban is retroactive to Monday's game against the Detroit Tigers, when he was ejected, returned to the field after his team won in a walk-off, and shouted profanities at home-plate umpire Brian Knight.

By accepting the suspension, Harper acknowledges that he's guaranteed to miss his next game. The announcement comes two days before the Nats travel to New York to take on the division rival Mets for a midweek three-game set.

This will mark the first game of the season Harper has missed, as he's started in 34 of 35 games. In the lone game he didn't start, Harper delivered a pinch-hit, game-tying home run in the ninth inning.

Harper will be eligible to return Sunday when the Nationals close out the series with the Marlins.

In the first game of Saturday's double dip, Harper went hitless but drew three more walks, while scoring one run. He also showcased his latest bat decal, "MBFA 2016", which stands for "Make baseball fun again".

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