STATS Hosted Solution

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

WASHINGTON (AP) The first boos, guttural and loud in a mostly empty ballpark, greeted Bryce Harper during pregame introductions 15 minutes before the rain-delayed first pitch Tuesday night, as he stood in the Nationals Park visitor's dugout wearing another team's uniform.

Jeers again filled the chilly air when Harper walked to the plate in the first inning for his initial at-bat as a Nationals opponent. More came while he awaited each pitch from Washington's Max Scherzer, negativity interrupted only by the sheer-joy roars after each strike of his eventual whiff, which concluded with a swing-and-miss at an 85 mph changeup.

A similar scenario - boos before each pitch, cheers after each strike - played out in the third, when Harper struck out again, this time on a 92 mph cutter he couldn't touch. He got a better result in the fifth, doubling to right off Scherzer, then standing on second base and waving toward the dugout in one of the Phillies' many choreographed celebrations.

Braves give OF Acuna $100M, 8-year deal
ATLANTA (AP) Outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. and the Atlanta Braves have agreed to a $100 million, eight-year contract, the largest deal for a player under club control with less than one year of major league service. The NL Rookie of the Year, Acuna agreed to a deal with two team options that, if exercised, would raise the value to $124 million over 10 years. (MORE)

Zion, Barrett top AP All-America team
The season did not end as Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett intended. The fabulous freshmen came to Duke to win a national championship and their bid came up short with a loss to Michigan State in the Elite Eight. Williamson and Barrett still managed to make a bit of history. (MORE)

CB Harris Jr. skips Broncos' workouts
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) The Vic Fangio Era began in Denver without one of the Broncos' best defenders and a potential contract standoff looming. "Yeah, I won't be there," cornerback Chris Harris Jr. texted The Associated Press before the Broncos became the fourth team to start their offseason program. (MORE)

Grunfeld fired as Wizards president
WASHINGTON (AP) Ernie Grunfeld was fired as president of the Washington Wizards after 16 seasons in charge of the team, and owner Ted Leonsis said he will oversee a "reboot." Grunfeld's dismissal was announced with four games left in a disappointing, no-playoffs season that began with Leonsis setting a goal of 50 wins, something the franchise last accomplished in the 1970s. (MORE)

Snell Ks 13 in 7 innings, Rays' run at 5

Warriors stars fined for ripping refs

Home court on line for Nuggets-Warriors

Indians SS Lindor to miss more time
CLEVELAND (AP) Indians All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor will miss more time because of a sprained left ankle that has delayed his season debut. Lindor was making a steady recovery from a strained right calf when he injured his ankle running the bases during a minor league scrimmage last week in Goodyear, Arizona. (MORE)

Arcia's HR helps Brewers move to 5-1
CINCINNATI (AP) Six games into the season, Orlando Arcia was still waiting for that first hit. The Brewers shortstop finally got it, connecting for the biggest one in Milwaukee's latest win. Arcia ended his season-opening slump with a three-run homer in the sixth inning, and Milwaukee extended its domination of the Cincinnati Reds by holding on for a 4-3 victory Tuesday night. (MORE)