Hilfe » Nationals star Bryce Harper has been pulled from a game a

WASHINGTON (AP) — fter being hit by a pitch in the right knee.Harper was struck in the sixth inning of Washington’s doubleheader nightcap against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night and was replaced defensively in the top of the seventh.Reds reliever Austin Brice hit the All-Star outfielder with a curveball. Harper struggled initially to put weight on the leg Blake Treinen Jersey , but eventually made his way to first base. He later took second on a wild pitch and came out to play right field in the seventh.Mason Williams opened the seventh for Cincinnati with a double into the right-center gap. Harper chased after the ball but was clearly limited. He was then replaced by Adam Eaton.Harper had two hits in the first game, extending his streak of four consecutive games with at least two hits, before going 0 for 3 in the nightcap. He is 8 for 17 (.470) with one home run and five RBIs during that five-game stretch. Champ, 7, is expected to plug gaps in wake of Blyleven’s reduced role."When news broke that Bert Blyleven’s role would be reduced in the FSN broadcast booth, media critics speculated that this meant expanded workloads for Justin Morneau, Jack Morris, Torii Hunter Chris Hatcher Jersey , and other ex-Twins. While that may be true, they’ll also have another guest in the booth: Champ, the Skateboarding Dog.“We’re really looking to shake things up in the booth while still providing the excellent mix of play-by-play and analysis our viewers expect,” said FSN Director of Communications Becky Mielke. “Champ is a good boy who loves treats, belly rubs, and the national pastime.”Critics are skeptical.“A dog? On a skateboard? I approve of both those things unconditionally, but in this context I don’t understand,” said the Star Tribune’s Michael Rand.“I’m no fan of Blyleven http://www.athleticsfanproshop.com/authentic-khris-davis-jersey , but this is at best a lateral move,” said Baseball Prospectus’ Aaron Gleeman. “Still, the skateboard intrigues me.”FSN is confident that Champ will blend seamlessly into the broadcasts.“Champ has an excellent feel for the game, and shares a real chemistry with Dick (Bremer, longtime Twins announcer),” said Mielke. “And he and Bert are housebroken about equally, so that won’t be an issue going forward.”As for the skateboarding, Champ’s owner says the dog Boog Powell Jersey , a German shepherd/border collie mix, has been gleaming cubes and doing ollies since he was a pup.“Oh, Champ took to the skateboard straightaway, mister, he sure did” said Terry, a soot-covered Dickensian ragamuffin in a watchcap who didn’t offer a surname or place of residence. “Couldn’t afford one from the department store, so me and Pa built one with parts from the scrapyard. You shoulda seen him go up and down the old factory road like a real live person, mister!” Champ is expected to do tricks between innings for fans at Target Field as well.“I don’t really want to oversell the tricks aspect Giancarlo Stanton Jersey ,” said Mielke. “I mean, he’s a dog on a skateboard. That’s the trick. What we’re interested in is the knowledge he brings to each broadcast.”Which leads to the obvious question: How can a non-talking animal add anything to a baseball broadcast?“It’s really pretty simple,” said Mielke. “One bark means strike. Two barks means ball. A series of barks is a home run, and a low growl means there’s a squirrel on the field and Dick needs to restrain him, because he will absolutely go after that squirrel.“We had the same system with (former FSN reporter) Robby Incmikoski. The production team is ready.”