Harper a late scratch in Miami with tight left quad

MIAMI -- Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was a late scratch with left quad tightness about an hour prior to Wednesday night's finale at Marlins Park.

Harper, who left the previous two games with the same issue, has hit 10-for-19 (.556) with three doubles, a triple, three runs and an RBI on the Nationals' two-city road trip, which concluded with a 6-3 win over the Marlins.

Harper told reporters after Monday's game that the quad had been tight since Friday, but it was "nothing too serious." During batting practice, he mentioned to manager Matt Williams that it was still bothering him.

"Bryce is in it for the long run, so I decided to get him out of there [Wednesday] just to make sure," Williams said. "He's been playing center field, he's been running a lot, he's been doing a lot of things. Give him a day to just calm it down a little bit. I expect him to be in there [Thursday]."

Nate McLouth was inserted into center field batting leadoff, while third baseman Anthony Rendon moved to second in the order. Tyler Moore got the start in left in Harper's place.