WASHINGTON (AP) — The dog days of summer arrived Saturday at Nationals Park.

Bruce, a 21-month-old golden retriever, fetched a bat during a ceremony Saturday before the Washington Nationals’ 4-3 loss to the Miami Marlins as part of a Pups in the Park promotion. He retrieved bats the last two seasons with the Rochester Red Wings, Washington’s Triple-A affiliate.

Bruce, wearing a bandana with an “MLB debut” patch he received when he arrived at the stadium, was presented a commemorative bat. He then took a circuitous route from the dugout toward first base after Nationals reliever Zach Brzykcy dropped the bat in foul territory before the bat dog collected his quarry to the delight of a crowd wowed by his work and enthusiasm.