WASHINGTON — Nationals manager Dusty Baker says he spoke with Bryce Harper for not immediately running on a long hit in Friday night's 3-2 win over the Reds.

Harper had two singles against Cincinnati, but one of them probably should have been at least a double.

Leading off the fourth, the reigning NL MVP hit a liner that appeared headed for the seats but instead struck the top of the wall in centre field. Harper admired the drive too long and was barely past first base by the time the ball was returned to the infield.

Baker said before Saturday night's game: "Come on, you know I wanted to see him on second and I addressed it, and Bryce told me that he knew he was wrong and said it won't happen again.

"What do you say when a person tells you that? I mean he knew it."