Bryce Harper's ailing left knee has knocked him out of the Nationals' starting lineup for the nightcap of today's doubleheader against the Mets.
Harper banged the left knee when diving to make a catch on a Daniel Murphy sinking liner in the fifth inning of this afternoon's 11-0 Nationals loss. He was removed for a pinch-runner in the eighth inning.
This is the second time in four days that Harper has been out of the Nats' lineup because of left knee issues.
He'll miss out on facing Mets right-hander Matt Harvey (8-2, 2.23 ERA), who Harper has complimented in the past, calling him one of the tougher hurlers in the league.
Steve Lombardozzi, who has five hits in the last two days, will start in left field and hit seventh.
Harvey has held the Nats to two runs with 18 strikeouts over 14 innings this season, going 1-0 in those two games.
Ross Ohlendorf gets the ball for the Nats, making his second start for the team this season. He allowed one earned over six innings in his Nats debut in Colorado back on June 12, and has made seven relief appearances since. The veteran right-hander has a 2.03 ERA this season.
For the Nats
CF Denard Span
2B Anthony Rendon
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
RF Jayson Werth
SS Ian Desmond
LF Steve Lombardozzi
C Wilson Ramos
RHP Ross Ohlendorf
For the Mets
CF Juan Lagares
2B Daniel Murphy
3B David Wright
RF Marlon Byrd
1B Josh Satin
SS Justin Turner
C John Buck
LF Andrew Brown
RHP Matt Harvey
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