Nationals game blog: Bryce Harper looks for power surge against Fish

By Josh Land

Nationals

July 29, 2015, 3:04pm

Comments

MIAMI - The Nationals look for their first win in Miami this season after dropping all four games to the Marlins thus far. Right-hander Tom Koehler brings an 8-6 record with a 3.16 ERA into tonight's start for the Fish.

Bryce Harper's first career three-homer game came against Koehler back on May 6 at Nationals Park in a 7-5 win. Harper hasn't left the yard in his last 10 games with only three homers this month.

harper-stare-at-home-run-gray-sidebar (2).png Harper has reached base safely in a career-best 24 straight games dating to June 24. During this stretch, Harper has 25 hits and 19 walks (four intentional) in 102 plate appearances. The 22-year-old has been on base in all but seven games this season and his .460 on-base percentage is second-highest in the majors.

Right-hander Doug Fister is 2-0 with a 1.09 ERA in four career starts against Miami. Fister will have to work to keep Dee Gordon off the bases. The Marlins leadoff man is 15-for-30 (.500) with two triples and two stolen bases in seven games against the Nats this year.