Bryce Harper was 1 for 1 with two walks and two runs scored through six innings tonight in Dodger Stadium and the Washington Nationals were up 6-0 on the Los Angeles Dodgers after four and a half when LA catcher A.J. Ellis lined a pitch from Jordan Zimmermann to right field. Harper, who's been playing left field with Jayson Werth on the DL with a hamstring issue, started in, then broke back and tracked the fly ball to the wall, but just as Harper realized he couldn't make the catch, he turned and ran face first into the wall, knocking himself down and possibly out and somehow opening a cut on his neck which reportedly took 11 stitches to close. The Nats' 20-year-old outfielder appeared to argue with the team's trainer and manager Davey Johnson that he could remain in the game, but the Nationals' right fielder was lifted and appeared a bit dazed as he headed into the clubhouse.
Roger Bernadina took over for Washington in right field. Jordan Zimmermann gave up a run in the bottom of the fifth inning after Harper's collision with the wall, but the Nationals took a five-run lead into the sixth. The Nationals would eventually win the first of three with the Dodgers by a score of 6-2.
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VIDEO: #Nats' Bryce Harper exits game after collision w/ RF wall in Dodger Stadium atmlb.com/12w8NcO via @mlb #Dodgers
— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) May 14, 2013
The first reports on Harper after the game were generally good news. Here's what reporters in LA and the Nationals had to say via Twitter after tonight's game:
Scott Boras: Harper had 11 stitches, no concussion. Jammed shoulder, but nothing immediate as far as orthopedic issues. Will have X-ray.
— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) May 14, 2013
According to the Nationals, Bryce Harper was not diagnosed with a concussion after an examination. He received 11 stitches.
— Dan Kolko (@masnKolko) May 14, 2013
Bryce Harper required about 11 stitches but apparently no concussion per Scott Boras. Banged shoulder. Waiting for more info from Davey.
— Amanda Comak (@acomak) May 14, 2013
Harper was examined, not diagnosed with concussion. Received 11 stitches
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) May 14, 2013