Bryce Harper out for third straight game (with lineups)

By Josh Land

Nationals

June 27, 2015, 9:52am

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PHILADELPHIA - Bryce Harper will miss his third straight game with tightness in his right hamstring. Harper initially experienced the setback while running to second after ripping a double in the 11th inning of Wednesday's 2-1 victory over the Braves. Harper remained in the game that night to score the winning run, but hasn't played since. Nationals manager Matt Williams said yesterday that Harper underwent an MRI with good results.

Williams is also resting Denard Span, whose backs spasms have flared up again after bothering him since June 7. Michael A. Taylor starts in center field and leads off in place of Span. Taylor is batting .249 with five homers, nine doubles, 26 RBIs and eight stolen bases in 59 games this season.

Yunel Escobar is unavailable today after taking a fastball off the back of his left hand from Phillies starter Aaron Harang in the first inning last night. Escobar left the game shortly after and underwent X-rays that were negative. Williams said Escobar's hand is still swollen today, but he doesn't anticipate the 32-year-old needing an MRI.

With Escobar sidelined, Danny Espinosa will make his sixth start of the season at third base. Through 24 games this month, Espinosa is batting .275 with two homers, five doubles, a triple and seven RBIs.

For the Nationals:

CF Michael A. Taylor
3B Danny Espinosa
SS Ian Desmond
RF Clint Robinson
2B Dan Uggla
1B Tyler Moore
C Jose Lobaton
LF Matt den Dekker
LHP Gio Gonzalez

For the Phillies:

CF Ben Revere
2B Cesar Hernandez
1B Maikel Franco
RF Jeff Francoeur
LF Darin Ruf
3B Andres Blanco
C Carlos Ruiz
SS Freddy Galvis
LHP Adam Morgan