Harper's broken-bat homer one for the ages (Nats come back, win 8-6)

FLUSHING, NY - Bryce Harper launched a broken-bat home run on a line drive over the right-center field wall in the top of the first. All that was left of the bat was a small portion of the handle.

The rest of the bat flew into the netting close to the Mets dugout. The solo shot was his eighth of the season and came on the first pitch from Mets starter Jacob deGrom.

The Mets tied the game in the bottom of the first on a double by Michael Conforto which was followed by a RBI single from Todd Frazier. Right-hander Jeremy Hellickson was able to get out of the frame by striking out Adrián González.

DeGrom has five strikeouts in three innings. Mets have three hits but only one run.

Mid-third in Flushing, the Nationals and Mets are tied 1-1.

Frazier added a run-scoring single in the third, but Matt Adams relay to Trea Turner to Matt Wieters nailed Conforto at the plate. Hellickson managed to induce a González fly out to center to end the third. He has allowed five hits but only two runs.

After three innings, the Mets lead the Nats 2-1.

Update: DeGrom has eight strikeouts through five. The Nats started the fifth with a single by Adams, but it was erased on a 6-4-3 double play grounder by Wieters. Wilmer Difo singled and stole second, but Hellickson struckout to end the frame.

Hellickson has scattered six hits and allowed only two runs.

Midway through, the Mets lead the Nats 2-1.

Update II: The Mets scored two runs without the benefit of a hit in the sixth. Matt Grace walked two, Wieters allowed two stolen bases and then Grace booted a bunt by deGrom that allowed a run to score. Second run scored on an Amed Rosario fielder's choice. Turner's diving play saved more runs from scoring but the damage was done.

The Mets lead 4-1 after six at Citi Field.

Update III: In the bottom of the seventh, Moisés Sierra took over in left field and Pedro Severino came into catch for right-hander A.J. Cole. Brandon Nimmo tripled and Asdrúbal Cabrera crushed a two-run shot high over the right field wall.

After seven, the Mets lead 6-1 over the Nats.

Update IV: In the most dramatic inning of the young season, the Nats scored six runs on five hits with the benefit of three base on balls and a hit batter in the top of the eighth. The biggest hit courtesy of Difo, a two-run single, tied the game at 6-6 erasing a five-run deficit. Michael A. Taylor was walked with the bases loaded to plate the go-ahead run, 7-6. The Mets used five pitchers in the inning.

Mid-8th, the Nats lead the Mets 7-6.

Update V: Howie Kendrick slammed a solo shot line drive over the left field wall off of Hansel Robles in the ninth. The critical insurance tally made it 8-6 Nats.

Update VI: Ryan Madson pitched the bottom of the ninth. He struck out Nimmo with a curveball. Cabrera doubled for his fourth hit of the game. Severino bobbled pitch from Madson, but that baited Cabrera, and Severino showed off his arm again at third base, a gigantic second out. Mets requested a replay challenge but after review the call on the field stands. The delay was one minute, 23 seconds. Madson got Conforto to fly out to end the game for his second save.

Biggesit comeback of the young season for the Nationals.

The Nats stun the Mets 8-6.