Harper raced around the bases quickly and continued his sprint straight to the dugout, where he exchanged high-fives with teammates. As the crowd cheered, Harper came to the top of the dugout steps for a curtain call, thrusting his right index finger into the air.

He’s the youngest player in the majors – and, at 19 years, 211 days old, the youngest to hit a homer since Adrian Beltre of the Los Angeles Dodgers connected when he was 19 years, 171 days old on Sept. 25, 1998, according to STATS LLC.

Harper’s homer gave the Nationals a 4-1 lead, but San Diego tied the game with a three-run inning in the fourth. With two on and one out, Orlando Hudson hit a single to center field that scored two runs, the second coming on Headley’s collision with Leon. Hudson later scored on Stauffer’s sacrifice.

After Headley gave the Padres the lead an inning later, Ian Desmond put Washington ahead for good in the sixth with a two-run double off the right field wall. Tracy and Nady added a pair of insurance runs with their eighth-inning solo homers.

WASHINGTON – Saratoga Central Catholic High School graduate Tim Stauffer earned a no-decision and Bryce Harper hit his first big league home run, helping lead the Washington Nationals to an 8-5 victory over the San Diego Padres on Monday night.

Harper became the youngest major leaguer to homer since 1998, going deep on a solo shot to straightaway center field in the third inning off Stauffer. The home run came in the outfielder’s 15th game and 54th at-bat with the Nationals.

Washington lost another player to injury in a season that has been filled with them. Catcher Sandy Leon making his major league debut – left the game in the fourth inning after spraining his right ankle in a collision at home plate.

Chase Headley was one of three Padres to score in the fourth when he bowled into Leon on a play at the plate, causing the catcher’s right ankle to buckle under him. Headly briefly gave the Padres a 5-4 lead an inning later with an RBI single. He also doubled and made two errors.

Chad Tracy and Xavier Nady each connected in the eighth inning for Washington.

Craig Stammen (3-0) pitched two innings for the win. Washington closer Henry Rodriguez walked the bases loaded with one out in the ninth inning before giving way to Sean Burnett, who got Jesus Guzman to ground into a 1-2-3 double play for his first save.

Miles Mikolas (0-1) gave up two runs and two hits while getting just one out.

Stauffer was reinstated from the disabled list before the game and started for the first time this season after being sidelined with a strained right elbow. He gave up four runs – three earned – on seven hits in five innings. He struck out five and walked three.

Nationals starter Ross Detwiler gave up a season-high four earned runs – five overall – on seven hits in five innings. In his seventh start of the season, his ERA rose from 2.10 to 2.75.

In the third inning, Ryan Zimmerman had a run-scoring single and Roger Bernadina scored from third when Headley missed a pick-off throw from catcher Nick Hundley. Then the 19-year-old Harper drove a 2-1 pitch to the grass backdrop just to the left of the 402-foot marker with two outs.

Harper raced around the bases quickly and continued his sprint straight to the dugout, where he exchanged high-fives with teammates. As the crowd cheered, Harper came to the top of the dugout steps for a curtain call, thrusting his right index finger into the air.

He’s the youngest player in the majors – and, at 19 years, 211 days old, the youngest to hit a homer since Adrian Beltre of the Los Angeles Dodgers connected when he was 19 years, 171 days old on Sept. 25, 1998, according to STATS LLC.

Harper’s homer gave the Nationals a 4-1 lead, but San Diego tied the game with a three-run inning in the fourth. With two on and one out, Orlando Hudson hit a single to center field that scored two runs, the second coming on Headley’s collision with Leon. Hudson later scored on Stauffer’s sacrifice.

After Headley gave the Padres the lead an inning later, Ian Desmond put Washington ahead for good in the sixth with a two-run double off the right field wall. Tracy and Nady added a pair of insurance runs with their eighth-inning solo homers.

WASHINGTON (AP) Andrew McCutchen won’t get to face the Washington Nationals again this season. He’s sorry about it. They’re not.

McCutchen homered twice, James McDonald took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and struck out a career-high 11, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Nationals 5-3 on Thursday night.

In five games against Washington this season, McCutchen went 10 for 17. He is batting .442 with 10 home runs in 23 career games versus the Nationals.

”It’s a good place to hit,” McCutchen said. ”I really can’t pinpoint it. I’m just hitting what they throw to me.”

According to Washington third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, it doesn’t matter how McCutchen is pitched.

”You pitch him away, and he hits it away,” Zimmerman said. ”He’s one of those special players that can do everything. He’s fun to watch. I just wish we didn’t have to watch so much when we play them.”

Nationals manager Davey Johnson had a frustrating night watching Jordan Zimmermann lose, his team flail at McDonald’s pitches for the first five innings and McCutchen hit the two homers.

”We certainly haven’t figured out how to pitch him,” Johnson said. ”He looks awful comfortable in there.”

As a rookie in 2009, McCutchen hit three home runs in a game against the Nationals, and he nearly had three in this game. He had solo shots against Zimmermann (2-4) in the first and sixth and nearly had another homer in the third, but his long shot to left went foul by a few feet.

McCutchen also made a beautiful catch in center field, robbing Adam LaRoche of an extra-base hit in the fifth.

”That was an unbelievable catch,” McDonald said. ”That was for sure a double off the wall.”

McDonald retired his first 13 batters – striking out nine – and also was helped by a spectacular play from Casey McGehee at first base. The right-hander walked Bryce Harper with one out in the fifth.

Carrying a 4-0 lead in the sixth, McDonald weakened and allowed consecutive doubles to Jesus Flores and Steve Lombardozzi to start the inning. Flores held at third because he wasn’t sure Lombardozzi’s ball was going to drop. Zimmerman’s single drove in both runners, and LaRoche’s triple scored Zimmerman.

”He went from no-no to oh no!” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. ”It was good stuff for five innings, though. Really electric.”

McDonald (3-2) was pulled after 5 2-3 innings. He gave up three runs and four hits with one walk.

Tony Watson retired the final batter of the sixth. Juan Cruz pitched a scoreless seventh, Jason Grilli worked the eighth and Joel Hanrahan the ninth for his eighth save in nine chances.

Zimmermann gave up a season-high four runs and seven hits in six innings, walking one and striking out six.

”That’s the worst I’ve seen him with his command early in a ballgame,” Johnson said. ”His location was off. He was all over the place.”

Zimmermann, who received two runs or fewer in six of his seven previous starts, was backed by better offensive support than he usually gets – three runs.

”We had runners on. We just couldn’t get a big hit,” Johnson said.

Washington left six runners on in the final four innings and had runners on first and second with one out in the ninth, but Pittsburgh third baseman Pedro Alvarez made a nice catch on Lombardozzi’s foul ball near the third base stands.

Rod Barajas added a two-run homer in the fourth, his third. He had three hits.

Neil Walker drove in the fifth run for Pittsburgh in the seventh on an infield out.

NOTES: Nationals OF Michael Morse, who hasn’t played this season because of an injured back muscle, will probably report to Viera, Fla., early next week to begin playing in games, Johnson said. He had hoped Morse would return to be the designated hitter when the Nationals play in Boston on June 8, but Morse told Johnson he could play a week earlier. … Washington INF Mark DeRosa is probably a week from returning from a left oblique strain, Johnson said. … The Nationals play a three-game series against the Orioles beginning Friday. Washington RHP Edwin Jackson pitches against RHP Jake Arrieta. … The Pirates open a three-game series in Detroit on Friday. Pittsburgh will send RHP Charlie Morton to the mound against Justin Verlander.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Washington Nationals were prepared for Erik Bedard.

Brad Lincoln and four other Pirates relievers? Not so much.

Bedard left early with back spasms and the Nationals struggled against Pittsburgh’s bullpen in a 4-2 loss on Wednesday night.

Washington went just 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position and left the bases loaded in the eighth and runners on second and third in the ninth.

“We just didn’t come through in the clutch,” Washington shortstop Ian Desmond said. “That one big hit we’ve been waiting for, we didn’t get it today.”

The Nationals, one of baseball’s biggest surprises during the first month of the season, have dropped three straight.

“My guys are trying, pumped up to keep winning ballgames,” Washington manager Davey Johnson said. “We’re just not getting quality at-bats, that’s all.”

Andrew McCutchen went 4 for 4 for the Pirates, including his second home run in as many nights. Lincoln (2-0) earned the victory with three shutout innings after replacing Bedard, who was lifted three pitches into the second inning due to back spasms.

Joel Hanrahan survived a shaky ninth to pick up his sixth save as the Pirates won consecutive games for the first time since April 17-18.

Though McCutchen’s eighth-inning blast gave the Pirates some breathing room, it was his daring dash from second to home on an infield single to cap Pittsburgh’s three-run third inning stoked his teammates.

The Pirates had runners on first and second with two outs when McCutchen took off on Casey McGehee’s slow roller to shortstop. Desmond scooped it up and thought about firing to first before pulling the ball down. Desmond then glanced at third, but McCutchen was already on his way to the plate. By the time Desmond got the ball out of his hands, it was too late.

Desmond praised McCutchen’s speed rather than blame his own indecision.

“I would say nine or 10 times out of 10 that runner stops and tries to dive back into third,” Desmond said. “He saw that I fielded it and he looked at me and darted toward home.”

Ross Detwiler (3-2) allowed three runs and seven hits with four strikeouts in six innings for Washington. Desmond had two hits and Xavier Nady and Chad Tracy knocked in runs for the Nationals.

Washington had its chances to rally in both the eighth and ninth innings.

The Nationals loaded the bases with one out in the eighth against Jason Grilli, but Grilli struck out Danny Espinosa and Rick Ankiel to end the threat.

Hanrahan, who blew a save on Tuesday only to be bailed out by Rod Barajas’ game-winning two-run homer, entered in the ninth and struggled again. He hit pinch-hitter Steve Lombardozzi with one out then gave up a double to Desmond.

In stepped heralded Washington rookie Bryce Harper, still looking for his first major league home run. He swung for the fences while falling behind 0-2 then popped meekly to shortstop.

Ryan Zimmerman followed and worked the count full before striking out on a 96 mph fastball from Hanrahan.

“I had a good pitch to hit, I just missed it,” Zimmerman said. “(Hanrahan) throws hard; it’s not easy to square someone up like that.”

The victory gave the Pirates something they haven’t had in awhile: momentum. Save for a brief two-game slide in St. Louis last week, Pittsburgh has alternated wins and losses in each game.

The Pirates hoped Bedard would give them a boost. Instead the oft-injured left-hander was lifted after throwing a fastball to Adam LaRoche in the second inning. Bedard grabbed his side after letting the pitch go. He tried to stretch for manager Clint Hurdle before being sent to the dugout.

“I think it just jumped on him,” Hurdle said.

Enter Lincoln, a spot starter turned long reliever. He gave up an unearned run, one hit and four strikeouts and one walk in three innings while dropping his ERA to 0.63.

“I had no time to think about getting into the game,” Lincoln said. “You just go in there and give ‘em what you got.”

Nady, making a start in right field in place of injured Jayson Werth, put Washington on the board with an RBI single in the fourth and Tracy’s pinch-hit sacrifice fly in the seventh pulled the Nationals within 3-2.

Washington would get no closer, though the Nationals refused to blame their slide on a letdown following an emotional home series with Philadelphia last weekend.

“I think guys are frustrated, not like we’re out of it by any means but guys are frustrated because they know what we can do,” Desmond said. “We know we’re a good offensive ballclub.”

NOTES: Injured Washington reliever Drew Storen could begin a throwing program by the end of the week. Storen hasn’t pitched all season while recovering from bone chips in his right elbow. Johnson said he’s hopeful Storen and closer Brad Lidge — recovering from abdominal surgery — will be making rehab appearances by the end of the month … The series concludes on Thursday when Washington’s Stephen Strasburg (2-0, 1.66 ERA) faces Pittsburgh’s Kevin Correia (1-2, 3.38) … Pittsburgh outfielder Alex Presley, mired in a 3-for-28 slump, didn’t start for the second straight game while he works in the batting cage.

Andrew McCutchen had four hits, including his second home run in as many nights, to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 4-2 win over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday.

Brad Lincoln (2-0) earned the win in relief of starter Erik Bedard, who was lifted three pitches into the second inning due to back spasms.

Joel Hanrahan survived a shaky ninth to pick up his sixth save as the Pirates won consecutive games for the first time since April 17-18.

Ross Detwiler (3-2) allowed three runs and seven hits with four strikeouts in six innings for Washington. Ian Desmond had two hits and Xavier Nady and Chad Tracy knocked in runs for the Nationals, but they couldn’t stop Washington from dropping its third straight.

Nationals rookie outfielder Bryce Harper went 0 for 4 with a walk and popped to shortstop with the tying run on second in the ninth.

Washington had its chances to rally in both the eighth and ninth. The Nationals loaded the bases with one out in the eighth against Jason Grilli, but Grilli struck out Danny Espinosa and Rick Ankiel to end the threat.

McCutchen, who failed to homer in his first 90 at-bats this season, provided some insurance in the eighth with his second homer in 24 hours.

The Pirates looked as if they would need it when Hanrahan, who blew a save on Tuesday, again struggled. He hit pinch-hitter Steve Lombardozzi with one out then gave up a double to Desmond.

In stepped Harper, still looking for his first major league home run. He swung for the fences while falling behind 0-2 then popped meekly to shortstop.

Ryan Zimmerman followed and worked the count full before striking out on a 96 mph fastball from Hanrahan.

The victory gave the Pirates something they haven’t had in awhile: momentum. Save for a brief two-game slide in St. Louis last week, Pittsburgh has alternated wins and losses in each game.

The Pirates hoped Bedard would give them a boost. Instead the oft-injured left-hander was lifted after throwing a fastball to Adam LaRoche in the second inning. Bedard grabbed his side after letting the pitch go. He tried to stretch for manager Clint Hurdle before being sent to the dugout.

Enter Lincoln, a spot starter turned long reliever. He gave up an unearned run, one hit and four strikeouts and one walk in three innings while dropping his ERA to 0.63.

Lincoln reached on a strikeout and wild pitch with one out in the third, moved to third when Jose Tabata’s grounder caromed off Detwiler’s foot past second baseman Espinosa. Neil Walker and McCutchen followed with RBI singles with McCutchen capping the inning by racing home on a slow roller to short by Casey McGehee.

Desmond grabbed the ball and looked to first before pulling it down. He then faked a throw to third, which McCutchen had already streaked past. Desmond reloaded and threw home, but McCutchen slid under the tag to give the Pirates a 3-0 lead.

Nady, making a start in right field in place of injured Jayson Werth, put Washington on the board with an RBI single in the fourth and Tracy’s pinch-hit sacrifice fly in the seventh pulled the Nationals within 3-2.

NOTES: Injured Washington reliever Drew Storen could begin a throwing program by the end of the week. Storen hasn’t pitched all season while recovering from bone chips in his right elbow. Manager Davey Johnson said he’s hopeful Storen and closer Brad Lidge _ recovering from abdominal surgery _ will be making rehab appearances by the end of the month … The series concludes on Thursday when Washington’s Stephen Strasburg (2-0, 1.66 ERA) faces Pittsburgh’s Kevin Correia (1-2, 3.38) … Pittsburgh outfielder Alex Presley, mired in a 3-for-28 slump, didn’t start for the second straight game while he works in the batting cage.