The NLDS may have been tied at one win apiece between the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies heading into Wednesday’s matchup, but Bryce Harper had an extra chip on his shoulder entering play.
Harper’s motivation stemmed from Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia talking smack about how Game 2 ended when Harper got doubled off at first base after getting too far ahead on the basepaths, leaving him without enough time to avoid the out. It was a clear blunder by Harper, and he readily admitted as much after the loss.
Then Arcia had to add insult to injury when he couldn’t help but poke fun at the entire situation inside the Braves’ locker room, with reporters all around to relay the message externally. Here’s how Jake Mintz of Fox Sports described the scene after Game 2.
Jake Mintz on Atlanta Braves’ locker room after Bryce Harper’s mistake in Game 2“While Riley’s blast flipped the score, Harris’ outrageous snag and Harper’s consequent blunder was the talk of Atlanta’s locker room after the game. Kevin Pillar’s young son, sporting a custom “Money Mike” headband, waddled over to his favorite center fielder for a fist bump. Third-string catcher Chadwick Tromp strutted by Harris’ locker offering a congratulatory “Mike is him!” All while Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia cackled emphatically about Harper’s misfortune, bellowing “ha-ha, atta-boy, Harper!” repeatedly as reporters circled the room.”
Game 2 happened on Monday night, and naturally, word got back to Harper before Wednesday’s Game 3 matchup at Citizens Bank Park. That became obvious as soon as the former NLCS MVP blasted a 408-foot home run deep to right field, scoring himself and two other runners on base to give the Phillies a 4-1 lead.
While the home run was glorious, the best moment (depending on where your loyalties lie) came when Harper rounded second base, giving Arcia a piece of his mind by staring the Braves’ shortstop down, letting him know he’s well aware of what happened Monday night.
As if the first home run wasn’t enough, Harper’s day wasn’t done. He also sent a mammoth 414-foot blast to center field later in the bottom of the 5th inning, pushing the Phillies to a convincing 7-1 lead. Did he stare down Arcia a second time? You bet he did.
Just as Harper smashed those two baseballs, the Phillies crushed the Braves 10-2, giving Philadelphia a 2-1 series lead over Atlanta. Game 4 gets underway Thursday night, with a first pitch scheduled for 6:07 PM ET on TBS. Does Harper have any more motivation left in the tank? Arcia’s Braves better hope not, or they’ll be going home for good this October.
Harper had his chance to respond verbally to the staredown after the game, providing a gem of a press conference appearance in the process.
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