Washington Nationals Rapid Reaction: Harper homer, Scherzer no-no highlight double-header sweep

Oct 3, 2015; Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Nationals played a double header against the New York Mets on Saturday, making up the game postponed Friday night because of the weather. It was a drizzly, blustery day at Citi Field. The Nationals had to face two of the Mets young gun pitchers, Noah Syndergaard and Matt Harvey. Gio Gonzalez and Max Scherzer out dueled the Mets pitchers.

Max Scherzer threw his second no-hitter of the season.

With the Nationals eliminated from the playoffs and the Mets headed to the postseason for the first time since 2006, one would think these games were meaningless. One would be wrong.

The Mets needed wins to try to get home field advantage during the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Bryce Harper is in a tight race for the NL batting title and the home run title and needed hits. Harper has been in a slump lately, going 1 for 15 in his last four games. Harper broke out of that slump in a big way in the first game of the double header.

Harper hit a two run home run off reliever Addison Reed. That home run tied him in the NL home race with Nolan Arenado, put his RBI total at 99 for the year, and kept him slightly ahead of Dee Gordon in the batting title race.

The Nationals may have ruined the Mets chances for home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs, taking both games of the double header.

Next: Max Scherzer is Magnificent, Gio Gonzalez Is Pretty Good Too