Harper and Machado go Yards to start (Nats win 3-2)

BALTIMORE - Bryce Harper and O's shortstop Manny Machado got Tuesday's game off to a hot start with solo homers in their first at-bats.

In the top of the first, Harper's blast came on the third pitch of the game from Orioles starter Dylan Bundy. Harper got a hold of a 91-mph fastball and deposited it in the right field seats. It was his 17th of the season.

In the bottom of the frame, Machado crushed a Jeremy Hellickson offering into the left field stands for his 16th of the season.

In the second, Wilmer Difo's bloop single to right brought former Oriole Mark Reynolds home to give the Nationals the lead again.

The Nats have at least one hit in each inning against Bundy, totaling six hits overall, but only two runs due in large part to grounding into a pair of double plays.

To that point, now both teams have turned a pair of double plays through three frames.

After three innings, the Nats lead the Orioles, 2-1.

Update: Reynolds extends the Nats' lead with a solo homer to begin the fourth. Juan Soto singled for the second time and stole third base later in the inning. That was Soto's first stolen base in the major leagues. The Nats have nine hits off Bundy in four innings.

Mid-fourth, the Nats lead the Orioles 3-1.

Update II: With two men on and two outs in the fifth, Nationals manager Davey Martinez left Hellickson in to face Adam Jones. Jones doubled to left field to score Chance Sisco. Jace Peterson was out on the relay home, Soto to Trea Turner to Pedro Severino.

After five, the Nats lead the Orioles 3-2.

Update III: Hellickson allowed only two runs over five innings on six hits with no walks, two hit batters and three strikeouts. He threw 81 pitches, 48 for strikes.

Mid-sixth, the Nats lead the Orioles 3-2.

Update IV: Bundy lasted six innings, but only gave up three runs despite allowing 11 hits. He struck out six with no walks and gave up two homers. He finished with 94 pitches, 68 for strikes.

Update V: Sean Doolittle retired the side in the ninth for his 12th save. He struck out the final two batters he faced to save it.

The Nats are 18-8 on the road and 31-22 overall. They are 6-3 on the road.

Final Score: The Nats 3, the Orioles 2.