Washington Nationals vs Los Angeles Angels Match Player Stats On Jul 18, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Jul 19, 2017

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Bryce Harper had his fourth four-hit game of the season and Edwin Jackson pitched seven sharp innings in his first start of 2017 as the Washington Nationals beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-3 for their sixth straight victory.

Harper hit a home run in the first inning, his 24th of the season, singled in the third and sixth innings and tripled to lead off the eighth, scoring the go-ahead run on Ryan Zimmerman's single.

The triple, his first of the season, was a line shot down the right field line off reliever Cam Bedrosian (2-2). Harper accelerated around first and never stopped, narrowly beating the relay throw to third. It was the sixth four-hit game of his career, and he extended his hit streak to 13 games, matching his career high.

Jackson (1-0), the 33-year-old veteran right-hander, had his minor league contract purchased by the Nationals before Tuesday's game and made the start in place of Joe Ross, who was placed on the disabled list and will undergo Tommy John surgery.

Jackson allowed three hits, including solo home runs by Mike Trout (17th) and Martin Maldonado (10th). He struck out three and didn't walk a batter while needing only 91 pitches to go seven innings. Jackson, who pitched for the Nationals in 2012, retired 13 straight between Trout's first inning home run and Maldonado's blast in the sixth.

The Nationals also received their first contributions from relievers Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle, who were acquired from Oakland in a trade. Madson threw a perfect eighth; Doolittle allowed a run in the ninth but stranded the game-tying run on second.

Jesse Chavez went six-plus innings, allowing eight hits and two home runs, to Harper in the first and Anthony Rendon (20th) to start the seventh. Adam Lind homered in the eighth off reliever Keynan Middleton, his eighth, for an insurance run. The Nationals have hit 16 home runs in their last five games.

It was Washington's 10th win in its last 12 games. The Angels are 4-10 in their last 14 games and have scored only 18 runs in their last eight.

The Angels broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth as Maldonado hooked a Jackson pitch 355-feet down the left field line, the ball landing a few rows up and just right of the foul pole.

Harper and Trout had matching solo home runs to center field in the first inning.

Harper hit his 24th of the season off Chavez on a 1-0 pitch, which also extended his hitting streak to 13 games, equaling his career best.

Trout clubbed a 3-1 pitch off Jackson to the same place in center in the bottom of the first, his 17th of the season and first since returning from the disabled list. He missed 39 games after tearing a thumb ligament sliding into second.

Harper also singled in the third but was thrown out trying to leg it into a double by left fielder Ben Revere.

Angels starting left fielder Cameron Maybin singled in the first inning but was thrown out trying to steal second. He hurt his right leg on the slide and was scheduled to undergo an MRI after the game. Maybin leads the American League in steals with 25.

NOTES: RHP Edwin Jackson had his contract selected from Triple-A Syracuse. Jackson, 33, signed with Baltimore but was sent down to Triple-A Norfolk after five appearances and a 7.20 ERA. The Nationals purchased him June 16 and he was 2-0 with a 0.44 ERA in 20 1/3 innings at Syracuse before his recall. ... RHP Jacob Turner was designated for assignment Tuesday. He was 2-3 with a 5.08 ERA in 18 games this season. RHPs Austin Adams (one game) and RHP Trevor Gott (1-0, four games) were also optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. ... Angels RHP Alex Meyer is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake City to start Wednesday's game against Washington. He is 3-5 with a 4.18 ERA in 12 starts.