
Phillies Manager Gives Simple Reason Team Didn’t Retaliate After Bryce Harper HBP
The collective heart of Philadelphia Phillies fans skipped a beat on Tuesday after superstar slugger Bryce Harper took a pitch to the elbow and was forced out of the game against the Atlanta Braves.
Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider had delivered a 95-mph fastball to the plate, but missed his target pretty significantly, connecting with the elbow that Harper has injured in the past and leaving the two-time NL MVP in significant pain.
The pitch left some Phillies fans looking for retaliationâciting one of those oft-talked about unwritten rules of baseballâbut manager Rob Thomson didnât sound interested in settling the score with another fastball.
Thomson was asked directly why there was no retaliation against the Braves while speaking with reporters ahead of Thursdayâs double-header, and his response was clear.
âBecause itâs not on purpose. Simple as that,â Thomson said. âIf I think somebody is throwing at one of our hitters, I donât know what Iâd do, but if itâs a pitch that gets away from a pitcher, which I believe it was, and I think that everybody in that clubhouse thinks it was, thatâs baseball. It happens.â
To Thomsonâs point, Strider seemed pretty distraught after hitting Harper, and expressed relief when it appeared as though he had escaped without serious injury. Baseball is a contact sport, sometimes things happen.
In a bit of good news for the Phillies, Thomson was also able to provide a positive health update on Harper, suggesting that his return to the field shouldnât take too long, barring set backs.
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