Bryce Harper was getting sick of being walked by opposing teams, so the Washington Nationals decided to do something about it on Tuesday. The move paid off.
The Nats batted Harper leadoff for the first time since 2013. The Pittsburgh Pirates ended up pitching to Harper rather than beginning the game with a walk. They got him out in his first two at-bats, but then in the fifth, Harper broke out with a 3-run home run to put Washington up 5-0.
Think Bryce Harper likes the leadoff spot? pic.twitter.com/zbHGvG2rsK
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) May 2, 2018
An inning later, the Pirates unintentionally walked Harper with two on and two out to load the bases. Trea Turner followed with a bases-clearing double to break the game open.
Harper probably won’t stick at the leadoff position longterm, but this move was enough to shake things up at least and perhaps get Harper going after two weeks without an extra base hit.
