Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper leaves game with injury

ST. LOUIS -- Most Valuable Player candidate Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals left Wednesday night's game with the St. Louis Cardinals before the bottom of the fourth inning.

Harper was removed from center field with what the team called "left glute tightness" and was replaced by Matt den Dekker.

Harper, who entered the game hitting .333 with 31 homers and 78 RBIs, struck out looking and popped up in two at-bats. His absence left Washington without two of its three starting outfielders, as center fielder Michael Taylor (knee) was scratched just before the first pitch and replaced by Danny Espinosa.

At the time of Harper's departure, the Nationals led St. Louis 2-1.