MIAMI - Bryce Harper's first two-homer game ended with his latest tantrum.
The quick-tempered rookie was ejected for spiking his helmet in the ninth inning and drew a scolding from manager Davey Johnson, even though he helped the first-place Washington Nationals snap a five-game losing streak by beating the Miami Marlins 8-4 on Wednesday.
Kurt Suzuki hit his first homer since the Nationals acquired him in a trade with the Oakland Athletics earlier this month, leading off the ninth with a drive off Heath Bell.
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Kurt Suzuki and Tyler Clippard celebrate after the last out of the Washington Nationals’ 8-4 win over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday
AP photo
The homer was Suzuki's first in the National League.
Later in the ninth, Harper grounded into a double play, and after he crossed the bag he angrily threw his helmet to the ground - it nearly hit first-base umpire C.B. Bucknor, who ejected him.
"Bryce couldn't control his emotions again," Johnson said. "I had a little chat with him. He'll get over it. He's just a hundred-percenter. He expects great things out of himself, breaks bats, throws his helmet. He's just got to stop it. We can't afford to be losing him in a ballgame. He'll learn. He's young."
Harper's most notorious outburst came in May, when he slammed his bat against the side of a tunnel and the barrel smacked off the wall and hit him just above the left eye, causing a gash that needed 10 stitches.
The 19-year-old was unhurt but sheepish after the latest incident.
"I shouldn't have done it, but I don't like hitting into double plays," Harper said. "I just need to stop getting mad and live with it. I just need to grow up in that mentality a little bit and try not to bash stuff in. I've always done it my whole life. Things need to change."
Harper hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning and a solo shot in the fifth, giving him 14 this season.
"That ballclub is in first place for a reason," Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen said of the NL East leaders. "They can hit."
Ross Detwiler (8-6) permitted three runs in 5 2/3 innings to earn the win.
Jacob Turner (0-2) allowed five runs in five innings.
