Jonathan Papelbon Goes After Bryce Harper In Nationals Dugout
By Ray Boyd
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Jonathan Papelbon never fails to surprise people, but he gave it his best effort on Sunday as the Nationals took on the Phillies in Washington. Papelbon and Bryce Harper got into a heated exchange in between the 8th and 9th inning.
It appears that Papelbon was reminding Harper to run out a ground ball and the two had a difference of opinion.
The following then occurred:
"It's a long season," Papelbon said after the game. "It's a grind. Sometimes emotions spill over and that's what happened today.
"I've talked to Bryce and told him how I feel. We're on the same page now which is good. I grew up with brothers. He grew up with brothers. I view him as a brother of mine. Sometimes in this game there's a lot of testosterone, there's a lot of intensity that spills over. I think that happened today. For me, I can't allow that to happen in the middle of a game. You can handle that after the game, allow the manager to handle that. In that light I'm wrong."
Papelbon finished the game with one inning pitched as he gave up five runs (2 earned) and a home run. The fight seemed to be a catalyst for the Phillies' victory as they scored eight runs in the 9th inning.
