Three years after Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper twice took him deep in the 2014 National League Division Series, San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Hunter Strickland decided to get even in his first matchup against Harper since the home runs.
In the eighth inning of Monday's game, Strickland threw a fastball at Harper's hip, Harper immediately reacted and charged the mound. A brawl ensued and after all was cleared away, suspensions now loom.
Harper and Strickland exchanged punches, which will lead to suspensions for both players. Last season, Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor received an eight-game suspension for his infamous punch on Jose Bautista. Major League Baseball looks at the severity of the incident and factors like who instigated the fight, when the punches occurred and if a player hit the other. Harper and Strickland both share blame for the start of the fight, though the true instigator is Strickland throwing at Harper, with both making contact on their punches these will likely be lengthy suspensions of six-plus games.
While Harper left the field fairly easily as a teammate pulled him away from the melee, Strickland proved to be more of a problem. Multiple teammates, including injured outfielder Hunter Pence forcibly grabbed and carried an enraged Strickland towards the dugout and down the stairs. Pence got hit in the face multiple times by Strickland's hand as he tried to push free. It certainly isn't the job the Giants want Pence to be doing given he's on the disabled list with a hamstring strain, so they'll just be happy if he walked away without any issues.
Interestingly, Giants catcher Buster Posey did not run after Harper when he charged the mound. Posey stayed back and didn't get involved until both teams were near the scene. It's an extreme rarity to not see a catcher immediately run out and defend his pitcher. Posey never seemed to expect a pitch inside that would hit Harper, so Strickland's decision to throw a fastball at Harper seemed to be of his own making. Posey's decision to hang back and Strickland requiring multiple teammates to forcibly pull him away, could also lead to some interesting discussion points in the next few days about what is going on in that clubhouse.
For fantasy owners of Harper, he will likely play on Tuesday as Major League Baseball works to come to a decision on his suspension. Then when a suspension is announced, he will appeal it and still be able to play. SO you may have Harper's bat in your lineup for the next few days, but a lengthy suspension is coming.