Things haven’t gone well for the Washington Nationals this season. A franchise with World Series aspirations never got going, and on Saturday they were officially eliminated from postseason contention as the New York Mets clinched their first NL East title since 2006. But fighting in the dugout? That’s a new low for the Nats.
The Nats were playing the Phillies at Nationals Park on Sunday, and it all seemed to kick off after Harper flied out in the eighth inning. He and Papelbon exchanged words when Harper got back to the dugout: Papelbon jawed at Harper for his failure to run out a pop fly.
Then things got ugly. Harper seemed exasperated by the pitcher’s words, and shot back with some thoughts of his own. Papelbon then reached for Harper’s throat with his left hand and shoved the outfielder back toward the bench with both arms. Teammates then pulled the pair apart.
Papelbon entered the game against his old team, the Philadelphia Phillies, in the eighth inning and gave up a game-tying two-run homer.
Harper did not go out to his position in right field for the ninth and was replaced in the lineup.
Papelbon continued pitching after the fight and he gave up a walk and a homer. The Nationals lost 12 to 5.
