Bryce Harper starts in center field (with lineups)

By Josh Land

Nationals

September 03, 2015, 12:14pm

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Bryce Harper is in the Nationals' lineup for the beginning of an important seven-game homestand. The 22-year-old's left glute tightened up after lunging for the bag at first on an infield hit in the seventh inning of Tuesday's loss.

Harper started last night but left in the fourth inning after popping up in his second at-bat, saying later "it just did not feel good at all."

Harper will play center field as Michael A. Taylor misses his second straight game with right knee soreness. Taylor initially injured his right knee running into the center field wall while attempting to make a catch in last Thursday's win over the Padres.

Taylor started three games since the injury but was a late scratch last night after his knee flared up during batting practice.

For the Braves:

RF Nick Markakis
CF Cameron Maybin
1B Freddie Freeman
C A.J. Pierzynski
LF Nick Swisher
2B Jace Peterson
3B Hector Olivera
SS Andrelton Simmons
RHP Matt Wisler

For the Nationals:

RF Jayson Werth
2B Anthony Rendon
CF Bryce Harper
1B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Clint Robinson
3B Yunel Escobar
SS Ian Desmond
C Wilson Ramos
RHP Jordan Zimmermann