Harper with two base hits in professional debut

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

April 07, 2011, 6:06pm

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2010 No. 1 pick Bryce Harper posted a solid professional debut Thursday night, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a strikeout. Harper's Hagerstown Suns held off Rome, 3-2, in Rome, Ga. in Harper's first regular season game as a pro. Harper, playing right field and batting third in the order, had an RBI single and stole a base in the top of the first inning. In the top of the third, Harper singled on a bunt. He was later caught off first base and was tagged out in a rundown, pitcher to first base to shortstop for the out. A run scored during the rundown.

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In the top of the sixth, Harper was a called out on strikes. In his final at-bat of the game in the top of the eighth, Harper grounded out to second base. Harper got both of his hits off of the Rome starter, left-hander Carlos Perez. The Suns' Randolph Oduber scored two runs and Jason Martinson had the other RBI. Taylor Jordan got the win despite giving up the two runs because the Suns rallied with him on the hill. Ben Graham notched the save with two innings of relief. The Suns' home opener is April 15.