Bryce Harper back in lineup for series finale

By Josh Land

Nationals

May 31, 2015, 7:02am

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Right fielder Bryce Harper returns to the Nationals lineup this afternoon for the series finale in Cincinnati, a day after missing his first game of the season. Harper was on yesterday's early lineup card until he was scratched with back soreness about an hour before game time.

A 93 mph from Reds reliever Tony Cingrani drilled Harper squarely in the center of his back on the first pitch of his fourth at-bat on Friday night. Harper finished out that game, but told reporters in Cincinnati yesterday that he felt limited during pregame workouts on Saturday and opted on the side of caution.

Harper will try to add to his scorching May totals on the month's last day. Over the past 30 days, Harper has batted .369 with 13 homers, 28 RBIs and 23 runs scored.

Right-hander Tanner Roark will make his second start of the season. Roark threw 66 pitches over five innings in Monday's 2-1 win in Chicago. Nationals manager Matt Williams told reporters that Roark should be able to last 90-95 pitches today.

For the Nationals:

CF Denard Span
SS Ian Desmond
3B Yunel Escobar
RF Bryce Harper
1B Ryan Zimmerman
C Wilson Ramos
2B Danny Espinosa
LF Michael A. Taylor
RHP Tanner Roark

For the Reds:

2B Brandon Phillips
1B Joey Votto
3B Todd Frazier
RF Jay Bruce
SS Zack Cozart
LF Skip Schumaker
C Tucker Barnhardt
RHP Michael Lorenzen
CF Billy Hamilton