Touch 'Em All: Nats' Bryce Harper ejected against Pirates

Washington's Bryce Harper was ejected from Sunday's game against Pittsburgh for arguing with - and showing up - third base umpire John Hirschbeck.

It happened in the first inning. Harper tried to hold up on a 2-2 pitch and home plate umpire Bob Davidson pointed to Hirschbeck for help. Hirschbeck signaled strike, at which point Harper stood outside the batter's box, eyeballed the ump, dropped his bat, and got the boot.

Didn't matter, as the Nationals won, 6-2.

Harper was also tossed Aug. 29, when he spiked his helmet after grounding into a double play against the Mets.

Maybe there's hope for the light-hitting Braves: All-star catcher Brian McCann (156 homers in eight years) is ready to come off the disabled list on Monday, just in time for Atlanta's series in Cincinnati.

McCann, who had surgery in October to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, said he's ready.

"The way I'm throwing now is basically the way I was throwing before I got hurt," McCann said. "The ball is coming out great."

There's more good news for the Braves: Rightfielder Jason Heyward, who had his appendix removed April 22, is ready to take batting practice. He also will travel to Cincinnati.

Braves manager Fred Gonzalez said "there's still no timetable on where or when" Heyward begins his minor-league rehab.

Boston's David Ortiz continues to be on a tear since coming back from a right Achilles injury that limited him to 90 games last year and delayed his start this season.

He pulled a pitch for a two-run shot in the first inning Sunday against Texas to extend his hitting streak to 25 games, the longest in the majors. He has hit in all 13 of his games this season, batting .440, and has an extra-base hit in 11 of his last 12 games. - Wire reports