Bryce Harper injures left knee, leaves game (Nats win 3-1)

Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper slipped on the first base bag attempting to beat out a grounder, injuring his left knee in the bottom of the first inning of the game Saturday night against the Giants at Nationals Park.

The game had been delayed for three hours because of heavy rains. Harper's left cleat appeared to slip on the wet first base bag as he leaned forward to try to beat Giants first baseman Ryder Jones. The knee appeared to buckle and he went down hard.

After writhing in pain on the ground for a couple of minutes, Harper was helped off the field with assistance from trainer Paul Lessard and hitting coach Rick Schu.

Andrew Stevenson took over in center field and Brian Goodwin moved to right field.

The Nationals lead the Giants 2-1 after one inning thanks to a RBI double by Ryan Zimmerman and run-scoring single from Daniel Murphy, but now the Nationals await word on the extent of the injury to Harper.

Update: No updates on the status of Harper. Manager Dusty Baker will speak on the injury after the game.

Edwin Jackson has held the Giants to one run on four hits through five innings. Jeff Samardzija has scattered four hits since the first inning without allowing another run.

After five innings, the Nats lead the Giants 2-1.

Update II: The Nats added a run in the sixth on a single by Anthony Rendon and a double off the center field wall from Adam Lind. Jackson pitched well, going six innings, allowing one run on five hits with two walks and five strikeouts. He fired 100 pitches, 58 for strikes.

Samardzija also went six innings, allowing three runs on nine hits with one walk and six strikeouts. He threw 120 pitches, 79 for strikes.

After six innings, the Nats lead the Giants 3-1.

Update III: The firm of Brandon Kintzler, Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle prevented the Giants from scoring a run in the final three frames. Doolittle records his 11th save on the season with a 1-2-3 ninth. He struck out two batters.

Final score: Nats 3, Giants 1.

The Nats are 4-0 against the Giants in the season series, and have won five straight in the series dating back to 2016.