Harper fights in Nats victory
An enraged Bryce Harper charged the mound, fired his helmet and traded punches to the head with Giants reliever Hunter Strickland after getting hit by a fastball, setting off a wild brawl yesterday during the Washington Nationals’ 3-0 win in San Francisco.
Drilled in the right hip by a 98 mph heater on Strickland’s first pitch in the eighth inning with two outs, none on and Washington ahead 2-0, Harper didn’t hesitate. The slugger pointed his bat at Strickland, yelled at him and took off.
No one got in Harper’s way as he rushed the mound. The 6-foot-4 Strickland hit Harper in the face, then they broke apart for a moment before squaring off again. Harper punched Strickland in the head as the benches and bullpen emptied.
In the 2014 NL Division Series, Harper hit two home runs off Strickland.
Mets 4, Brewers 2 — Robert Gsellman (3-3) pitched seven innings of three-hit ball and had two RBI to lead host New York past Milwaukee.
Pirates 4, Diamondbacks 3— Andrew McCutchen hit a leadoff homer in the ninth inning and host Pittsburgh walked off against Arizona.
Pirates right fielder Gregory Polanco was carted off the field with an ankle injury.
Padres 5, Cubs 2 — Rookie Hunter Renfroe hit a grand slam off Kyle Hendricks and host San Diego handed Chicago its fourth straight loss.
Dodgers 5, Cardinals 1 — Chase Utley, Cody Bellinger and Logan Forsythe hit solo home runs, leading Rich Hill (2-2) and Los Angeles Dodgers to a win in St. Louis.
Marlins 4, Phillies 1— Edinson Volquez (1-7) pitched six innings to earn his first win and host Miami beat Philadelphia.
American League
Orioles 3, Yankees 2 — Dylan Bundy (6-3) allowed two runs in seven innings in another strong start at Camden Yards as Baltimore beat New York to snap a sevengame skid.
Tigers 10, Royals 7— Miguel Cabrera and J.D. Martinez each drove in three runs as Detroit came from behind to win in Kansas City.
Astros 16, Twins 8 — Carlos Beltran homered and singled during an 11-run burst in the eighth inning against Minnesota’s beleaguered bullpen, and Houston won a matchup of AL division leaders in Minneapolis.
Indians 5, Athletics 3 — Carlos Carrasco (5-2) won his third straight decision, Edwin Encarnacion hit one of his team’s three solo home runs and host Cleveland held off Oakland.
Rays 10, Rangers 8 — In Arlington, Texas, Tim Beckman hit a go-ahead threerun homer in the seventh as Tampa Bay scored five runs in a span of three pitches to beat Texas.
Interleague
Mariners 6, Rockies 5 — Sam Gaviglio pitched into the sixth inning to get his first career victory, and Seattle beat Colorado in Denver.
Blue Jays 17, Reds 2 — Troy Tulowitzki hit his fourth career grand slam, Marcus Stroman won his fifth straight decision and host Toronto crushed Cincinnati.
Braves 6, Angels 3 — In Anaheim, Calif., Matt Adams and Danny Santana had tworun doubles during a six-run third inning to help Atlanta overcome Albert Pujols’ 598th career homer and beat Los Angeles.
Angels star Mike Trout has a torn ligament in his left thumb and might need surgery that could sideline him for eight weeks.