With Harper back, Girardi to reconsider his rest

PHILADELPHIA » No one has ever needed to explain the dynamics of Bryce Harper’s stint in Philadelphia to him.

The Phillies, for the next decade, will give him nine figures worth of paychecks. Harper will give the Phillies his considerable baseball talent.

Harper is not paid to sit the bench. Nor is he looking to be. But the slugger Sunday presented a potent argument for an occasional rest.

Harper homered and doubled among three hits in a 2-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in the rubber match of their series.

Harper was held out Saturday with back tightness. After waking up with “concerning” symptoms, Harper made the rare decision to sit, consulting with the training staff to make sure a minor injury didn’t become a major concern.

Harper has a history of back issues and worked in the offseason to strengthen that part of his body.

“I want to be on the field helping my team every day,” Harper said. “I’ve always been that type of player. I’ve always been that guy that wants to go out there for the fans, for the organization and for my teammates. But maybe it’s better, hey, let’s take a day here or there.”

It’s a fine line when the daily grind has physical repercussions, especially for a team that aspires to play into October. Harper was sharp Friday, blasting a two-run homer plus two long fly balls that got beaten down by a stiff wind blowing in.

He picked up where he left off Sunday by bashing a firstinning John Gant delivery 425 feet into the second deck in right.

“It was a solid rip by Harp,” said starter Aaron Nola, who needed no other offensive support. “We’ve seen it time and time again from him. That was a great way to start the game off.”

Harper doubled sharply in the fifth and singled in the seventh.

It was the kind of freshness that makes manager Joe Girardi consider how he chooses to rest Harper, a process that involves Harper wanting “to fight you tooth and nail.” Harper may also reconsider some of the aspects of his game that might imperil his health. (He said he jammed his back sliding into second trying to take an extra base Friday.)

“They usually have to fight me to get me out of my uniform, because I do enjoy playing,” Harper said. “And the Philly fans deserve that. This organization deserves that. But also put value on days off as well now, so if I can get the rest that I need once or twice a month, and then get us into September, it’s definitely a smart call but a tough one.”

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NOTES » Among the firsts accomplished by Nola Sunday: His first MLB pitches delivered in the ninth inning, his first nine-inning complete game and first Gatorade shower. Nola completed two games last year, one a seveninning shutout of the Marlins in a doubleheader, another a six-inning loss. He’s gone eight frames on nine occasions, three times while carrying a shutout. “It was a cool day,” Nola said. “That was the first Gatorade shower I’ve ever had. It was a fun day, it was a great win, it was a great series win.” … Alec Bohm hit a sacrifice fly to center in the fifth to score Rhys Hoskins with an insurance run. … Girardi said Mickey Moniak would get a chance to play upon his promotion. The young center fielder is testing that: He’s 0-for-8 with six strikeouts. He also walked Sunday.