Nats pack a lot into 4 days
Harper, Scherzer play key roles in eventful stretch
WASHINGTON — Max Scherzer’s record-tying 20-strikeout performance was only the latest in a recent series of newsworthy moments for the Washington Nationals, one right after the other.
If things were quiet around Bryce Harper and Co. on Thursday, perhaps it’s only because the club had a day off.
The way things have been going lately, there’s no telling what will happen when the Nationals host the Miami Marlins for a fourgame series starting Friday. Start with Scherzer. Only three other pitchers — Roger Clemens (twice), Kerry Wood and Randy Johnson — managed to strike out 20 batters in nine innings before Scherzer did it in a 3-2 win over the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday.
Harper played pivotal roles in some of the unusual happenings during what has been quite a week for the Nationals. Here’s a look:
Sunday: Ball 4 x 6
Harper tied a major league record by walking six times in a loss at the Chicago Cubs that capped a four-game sweep. Hitting one spot behind him was Ryan Zimmerman, who failed to make the Cubs pay for pitching around the 2015 NL MVP, going 1-for-7 and leaving 14 runners on base.
That sparked a debate in D.C. about whether it was time to move Zimmerman out of the cleanup spot.
Monday: Big deal, more
While Stephen Strasburg was on the mound in the series opener against Detroit, word emerged he had agreed to a $175 million, seven-year contract. It was a stunning development given he would have been eligible for free agency this offseason — and his agent, Scott Boras, loves seeing what clients can draw on the open market.
In the bottom of the ninth, Harper was ejected by plate umpire Brian Knight after a teammate struck out. Moments later, pinch hitter Clint Robinson hit the first game-ending homer of his career. Harper rushed onto the field to join the rest of the celebrating Nationals but took a moment to point toward Knight and swear at him.
Tuesday: Shutdown pays
The Nationals finally acknowledged publicly that Strasburg had a new contract. At a news conference, he and Boras spoke about how GM Mike Rizzo’s much-debated decision to shut Strasburg down before the 2012 playoffs scored points with the pitcher and his family.
In that night’s game, Zimmerman showed signs of breaking out of his funk, homering twice.
Wednesday: Sorry, mom
Before Scherzer made history, MLB announced Harper would be suspended for one game and fined for what happened Monday. Harper appealed the punishment, so he was able to play Wednesday.
After the game, he spoke about being caught on TV, yelling what he described as “a couple choice words” at the umpire: “I think the only person that’s pretty upset that saw it is my mom. I told her, ‘Sorry.’ I texted her.”