#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Harper and Zimmerman slam Braves

Happy 2018, Nationals fans!

As the calendar flips to a new year, we're that much closer baseball returning. The countdown to pitchers and catchers reporting to West Palm Beach is winding down.

For our first 2018 Throwback Thursday moment as part of our "Nationals Classics" airing on MASN, we're taking you back to a grand old time down in Atlanta from April 19, as Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman put on a show.

Harper, who continued his torrid start to the season, homered in each of his first two at-bats - one a grand slam - and finished the day 4-for-4 with a walk, three runs scored and five RBIs. Meanwhile, Zimmerman was just getting his renaissance season underway, as he also crushed a grand slam and finshed the game 3-for-5 with a run scored and four RBIs in the Nationals' 14-4 rout of the Braves at SunTrust Park.

You can watch this game in its entirety Sunday, Jan. 7 at 3 p.m. on MASN.

For other classic Nationals moments, be sure to check out Bob Carpenter's weekly posts from his scorebook on Twitter (@scorebook_bob). You can also tune in to these other "Nationals Classics" airing on MASN throughout the week:

Friday, Jan. 5, 9 a.m. - This other classic game between the Nats and Braves from Atlanta came on the last game of the 2009 regular season. After winning in 11 innings the night before, the Nationals beat the Braves in 15 innings on Oct. 4 to close out the 2009 season with a seven-game win streak. Alberto Gonzalez drove in the eventual game-winning run in the top of the 15th for a 2-1 victory.

Monday, Jan. 8, 1 p.m. - Zimmerman's career in D.C. is full of heroic moments. On July 6, 2010, his second homer of the day was a walk-off solo shot in the bottom of the ninth for a 6-5 win over the Padres.

Tuesday, Jan. 9, 9 a.m. - Harper isn't the only National who has hit two grand slams in a single game. Josh Willingham it grand slams in back-to-back at-bats on July 27, 2009 in the Nats' 14-6 throbbing of the Brewers in Milwaukee.

Wednesday, Jan. 10, 1:30 p.m. - Everyone knows Harper has a thing for the spotlight, particularly opening day. On his first big league opening day on April 1, 2013, he started his season-opening lore with two home runs to give the Nats all the offense they needed. Stephen Strasburg pitched seven innings of three-hit ball as the Nationals went on to shut out the Fish 2-0.