The Phillies were justifiably heated on Tuesday night when a big eighth inning descended into chaos thanks to a frustrated moment from Rays pitcher Edwin Uceta. And according to Bryce Harper, the scene could have gotten even uglier.
Uceta entered the tie game in the eighth inning with the bases loaded and one out, looking to clean up the jam he inherited from Richard Lovelady. Instead, Uceta allowed three extra-base hits (including a home run to Trea Turner). So by the time he faced Nick Castellanos in a five-run game, Uceta couldn’t hold back his frustration. He hit Castellanos with a 96 mph sinker on the first pitch of the at-bat, and benches cleared.
But keep an eye on Harper as this unfolded.
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The Phillies star was on second base and quickly made his way towards the mound, hoping to confront Uceta. But when Harper saw that Uceta wasn’t turning around, he slowed down to let the Rays players intervene.
He told reporters after the game that he would have been ready to fight Uceta if he had turned around. Harper let up because he didn’t want to be one to sucker punch someone with their back turned.
Harper said via NBC Sports Philadelphia:
“I didn’t want to be a loser and come up behind him. If he’s going to turn around, then all right, let’s go.”
“That’s not the game that we play, man. It shouldn’t be. Guys throw too hard nowadays. You’re getting mad because a guy hits a homer off you or you blow the lead, walk the guy and come out of the game. The situation, the whole thing, just really fired me up, really upset me. Just not something you should accept as Major League Baseball.”
And while Harper had every right to protect his teammate, the Phillies are probably thrilled that the incident didn’t escalate, especially with the postseason looming in a few weeks.
Uceta was ejected for the pitch, and the Phillies went on to win by that same score, 9-4.
