Harper lifted in 4th inning with glute tightness

The Washington Nationals' fleeting playoff hopes may have suffered another blow Wednesday when outfielder Bryce Harper was removed from his team's game against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth inning due to left glute tightness.

Harper, who leads the majors in wins above replacement, struck out in his first at-bat and didn't get far down the first-base line after hitting a pop fly to second base to lead off the fourth. The 22-year-old was replaced in center field by Matt den Dekker in the bottom of the inning.

"I did what I could to get loosened up," said Harper, who told reporters after the game that he initially suffered the injury Tuesday when he landed awkwardly on first base trying to leg out an infield single. "I didn't do very well afterward. I'm going to see [the physical therapist] tomorrow, get loosened up a little bit more and see if I can get out there."

Slowed by injuries earlier in his carer, Harper entered Wednesday's series finale at Busch Stadium leading the National League in batting average (.331), on-base percentage (.461), and slugging percentage (.630) over 124 games - the most he's played since his 139-game rookie season in 2012.

The Nationals won Wednesday's game 4-3, thanks to Ryan Zimmerman's offensive outburst.