Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper and San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Hunter Strickland were at the center of benches clearing on Monday, with both players landing punches during the melee.
Strickland apparently sought retribution for Harper hitting two towering home runs off him during the 2014 National League Division Series. Their matchup on Memorial Day was the first since that time.
Strickland’s first pitch was a 98 mph fastball at Harper’s hip, sparking the brawl. Strickland was suspended six games, while Harper received a four-game ban.
The 2015 NL MVP appealed his suspension and had it reduced by one game, per Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports:
Source: Bryce Harper’s suspension has been reduced to three days.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 31, 2017
MLB chief baseball officer Joe Torre has historically suspended batters four or five games for charging the mound.
Harper is expected to begin serving the reduced suspension immediately. Including Wednesday, the Nationals have four games prior to beginning a series with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday.
Thus, Harper should be available for the entirety of the three-game set at Dodger Stadium. While Harper was in the process of appealing his suspension, he went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts in the Nationals’ 6-3 win over the Giants on Tuesday.
Strickland did not appear in the contest. The fiery right-hander also appealed his suspension, but a ruling has not yet been reached.
The 24-year-old Harper has put forth another MVP-worthy campaign thus far, batting .433/.644/1.076 with 11 doubles, 15 home runs, 41 RBI, a .440 wOBA and 174 wRC+ in 47 games. He has hit a minor skid, going 6-for-45 in the past 12 games.
Harper leads the Nationals in home runs and RBI, and is second to Ryan Zimmerman in slugging percentage and on-base plus slugging.
Harper is a lifetime .267/.320/.422 hitter in 50 career plate appearances at Dodger Stadium, with one double, two home runs and three RBI.
