The Washington Nationals finally ended their week-long, 5-game losing streak last night, splitting a 2 game series with the Miami Marlins in the process. It came after Davey Johnson‘s team meeting. Brilliant strategy skipper, why did you wait so long?
The story of the night was Bryce Harper. He hit two home runs, the first giving the Nats their first lead in about 58 innings and the second reaching the upper deck.
In the 8th, Harper make a nice grab in center and threw home to hold the runner out third, helping Drew Storen get out of the inning alive.
Then, in the 9th, Harper grounded into a double play. Called out by half a step, he threw his helmet off and was ejected immediately.
I wasn’t alone when I figured out the Harper version of the Gordie Howe Hat Trick:
So, two homers, big catch and an ejection
#bryceharperhattrick— William F. Yurasko (@doubleuefwhy) August 30, 2012
If Gordie Howe has his own hat trick, does Bryce has his own: HR, RBI, Thrown out?
#nats— Tracy Tran (@tracytran) August 30, 2012
Did we just see the first-ever Bryce Harper Hat Trick: 2 homers and an ejection?
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) August 30, 2012
OK, consensus seems to be the Bryce Harper Hat Trick should include: 1) homer, 2) outfield assist, 3) ejection.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) August 30, 2012
New Bryce Harper Hat Trick: Two homers, an outfield assist, and an ejection.
— Walk Off Baseball (@WalkOffBaseball) August 30, 2012
Harper said “I just need to grow up in that mentality a little bit” (Nationals Journal, The Post)
The Nats are back in D.C. tonight (I might have an extra ticket) with the St. Louis Cardinals in town.
