Bryce Harper hit a three-run homer off Matt Harvey in the first inning and added an RBI single in the seventh inning, leading a Washington Nationals split squad to an 8-5 victory over the New York Mets Wednesday. Harper is batting .444 (16 for 36) with one triple, two doubles, three homers and eight RBI through 13 spring games. Harper, who batted second for Washington last season, is now hitting behind new leadoff hitter Denard Span and Jayson Werth. Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman is in the cleanup spot. Nationals manager Davey Johnson thinks Harper has shown more patience at the plate this season because he learned from last season, when he got off to a quick start before pitchers started attacking him in different ways. "What he went through last year was very important for him, to be able to struggle and make adjustments," Johnson said. "That's what you do up here. You make adjustments. Pitchers are always trying new tricks to get your timing off. He's shown from day one in the spring that he's a lot more patient."
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