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The Juice: Bryce Harper steals home, Jayson Werth breaks wrist in Phillies win

The Juice is back for its fifth season of fun! Stop by each weekday for an ample serving of news from the action, plus great photos, stats and video highlights.

The usual suspect: The greatest trick Bryce Harper ever pulled was convincing the world he was only a 19-year-old rookie. The kid who seems to do something unique in every game did it again, stealing home on a pickoff attempt by Cole Hamels in the first inning Sunday night. Not only was it Harper's first stolen base in the majors, it was sweet revenge for getting hit with a pitch in the back by Hamels earlier in the inning. But the joy was fleeting, as Hunter Pence hit two homers and Hamels otherwise dominated in a 9-3 victory for Philly that averted a sweep at Nationals Park. And then there's what happened to slugger Jayson Werth.

Cruel break: Werth broke his left wrist trying to make a diving catch in the top of the sixth on a looper hit by Placido Polanco. He'll miss anywhere from six weeks to several months, reporter Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post writes, but more will be known after Werth visits the same specialist who repaired a break in his wrist in 2005. The Nats, who share the best record in the NL with the Dodgers, have been playing without Ryan Zimmerman and Michael Morse, but they are scheduled to return this week. But losing Werth, who signed a $126 million contract before the 2010 season, will take some getting over.

Shrimp on the Cubbies: The wonderful baseball blog Walkoff Walk (now frozen in carbonite until a cure can be found), gave us the tradition of playing a YouTube video of a shrimp running on a treadmill to the tune of the Benny Hill theme, "Yakety Sax," whenever a game ended with a walk. In the best shellfish tradition, the Cubs beat the Dodgers 4-3 in 11 innings on a bases-loaded walk by David DeJesus. Or was it by Jaret Wright, the L.A. pitcher? Who's propositioning who, here? The Dodgers might be propositioning someone other than Javy Guerra to pitch in the ninth inning soon. He's blown three saves in 11 chances, and they just don't forgive closers easily these days.

Orioles-Red Sox reminder: To simply say that Adam Jones hit a three-run home run to give the Orioles a lead they wouldn't relinquish — it would be quite misleading. It leaves out all of the stuff about 17 innings and two position players pitching, along with other things that haven't happened since 1905. Check out this synopsis for a closer look.

Phat again: In case you missed it, Albert Pujols won't go homerless in 2012:

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Quote of the Day: ''If the ball goes into the sun, what can you do?'' — right-hander Yu Darvish, through a translator, regarding a pop-up lost by the Texas Rangers infield that became costly. Darvish struck out 11 over six innings, but he allowed four runs — three earned — along with six hits and four walks in a 4-2 loss at Cleveland.

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Photo of the Day: Yippee! Er, Yahoo!

Nyjer Morgan of the Milwaukee Brewers knows where to go to catch the ball, and to catch the wackiest Nyjer Morgan interview to date. Regardless, the Giants beat the Brewers 4-3 in 11 innings on a single into no-man's land by Hector Sanchez.

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Three Facts for the Water Cooler:

• Omar Vizquel of the Toronto Blue Jays became the first 45-year-old to play shortstop in a major-league game, and here's a video verifying that assertion.

• Mat Latos and three Cincinnati Reds relievers combined to strike out 17 Pirates, tying a club record for a nine-inning game. The Reds won 5-0.

• The Atlanta Braves are 18-7 since April 10, best record in the majors, after beating the Rockies 7-2 behind right-hander Brandon Beachy to sweep a three-game series at Coors Field.


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