Arguments with Angel Hernandez and a wild throw lead Bryce Harper to sit out on Thursday-MLB Update
Frustrated Bryce Harper goes wild in the field. During the game against the Houston Astros he threw the ball which went way past the desired destination. It was an act which was preceded by the heated debate between Harper and the home plate umpire Angel
Hernandez owing to the latter’s questionable decisions about strikes.
Harper is suffering from a lean period at the moment. His production has all of a sudden been reduced to a great extent. The consistency with which he made hits earlier in the season is not being seen from him now.
During the series which has now completed against the Houston Astros, the Nationals’ manager Davey Johnson gave him opportunities in order to help the outfielder improve his batting average.
Despite being sent on the plate under ideal circumstances, Harper has struggled to live up to the expectations of the manager. The at-bats that Johnson provided him in the series have been missed by him, more often than not.
It is for the same reason that in Thursday’s line-up Harper was missing. Johnson intentionally kept him out because he felt it necessary to give Harper a break. Johnson hopes that once Harper returns after the break, he will start hitting fluently.
Harper’s attitude toward Hernandez and the wayward throws he made from the field in the last game reflect his desperation for returning to form. This can also be the reason why Johnson decided to withdraw Harper from one game.
Meanwhile, the Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche believes Harper's reaction in the game against the umpire Angel was not entirely wrong.
“I’ve been in that position,” LaRoche said. “I’ve talked to Bryce a lot about it. I said, ‘You’ve got to keep your mouth shut, but at some point, if it gets really bad you’ve got to stand up for yourself and not sit there and take it.’ Especially as competitive
as he is, he’s done it right for the most part. He’s held his tongue and, eventually, you lose it and he’s going to let somebody know about it. “
Harper will take the absence in the game as an opportunity to reconsider his strategy on the plate. He will be looking to begin striking quality hits on his return.
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