Only three runs crossed the plate on Monday afternoon in San Francisco, but there were plenty of fireworks.
Matt Moore turned in a solid outing against MLB’s best offense and got no support from his own hitters in a 3-0 loss to the Nationals on Memorial Day. But the biggest story of the day came in the top of the 8th inning.
Hunter Strickland threw a 98-mile-per-hour fastball right at the hip of Washington star Bryce Harper, who proceeded to immediately walk toward the pitcher’s mound and point at Strickland. Harper rushed the mound, attempted to throw his helmet at Strickland, and the two immediately went at it. Each landed a solid punch on the other before both teams came rushing into the scrum. Jeff Samardzija and Michael Morse were first on the scene for the Giants but bumped right into each other upon arrival.
This was awesome. They both connected pic.twitter.com/9M9ANsAt4W
— John Middlekauff (@JohnMiddlekauff) May 29, 2017
When the dust settled, Harper earned his 9th career ejection and Strickland his first. Both will likely receive rather lengthy suspensions. George Kontos came in to relieve Strickland and the runner representing Harper ultimately came around to score and extend Washington’s lead to 3-0.
Moore pitched brilliantly for most of the game, but allowed a solo home run and an RBI double. Moore’s final line was seven innings, five strikeouts and a pair of runs allowed on six hits. Tanner Roark pitched a gem himself for the Nats, and scattered six hits across seven innings while keeping the Giants scoreless.
Ryan Zimmerman, who’s gotten off to a hot start this season, knocked a homer to left field with no one on in the 2nd inning. It was his 14th dinger of the season. He later scored in the 6th inning on a double by Daniel Murphy.
Meanwhile, San Francisco’s meager offense returned after scoring 13 runs in the previous two games combined. Brandon Belt, Buster Posey and Joe Panik each had a pair of hits, but the Giants left the bases loaded in the bottom of the 8th and otherwise failed to generate many run-scoring opportunities, much less convert them.
With two games to go in this series, it’ll be interesting to see if and when the Nationals respond to Strickland’s beanball. Both teams could be given a warning for the rest of the series, meaning instant ejection for anyone who hits or throws at another player.
In terms of Strickland and Harper in particular, there is some history between the two that could’ve led Harper to insinuate purpose behind Strickland’s pitch. Harper blasted two huge home runs off Strickland in the 2014 NLDS, though the Giants did win the series and ultimately, the championship.
Tomorrow’s game is set for a 7 p.m. first pitch. Jeff Samardzija will take on Gio Gonzalez. Tune in to see if the beef continues.