PHILADELPHIA – After a victorious Game 2 of their National League Division Series, Atlanta Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia decided to mess around with Bryce Harper.
In Game 3, Arcia found out.
Harper responded to an Arcia mocking of his baserunning foibles by crushing two home runs – and staring down Arcia as he rounded the bases both times – as the Phillies reclaimed command of their NLDS with a 10-2 victory on Wednesday night at Citizens Bank Park.
Philadelphia took a 2-1 series lead and can close out the 104-win Braves with a victory in Game 4 Thursday night. No telling what happens then – every subsequent game in this series has featured a significant momentum change and narrative shift.
That process began almost immediately after Game 2, during which Nick Castellanos also homered twice.
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Arcia, according to reports, repeatedly reveled in Harper’s baserunning misfortune, saying, “Haha, attaboy, Harper!” after watching clubhouse replays of the game-ending 8-5-3 double play, in which Harper strayed too far past second base and got doubled off after center fielder Michael Harris’ highlight catch.
Harper flipped that narrative quickly.
With Atlanta starting command artist Bryce Elder against the potent Philly bats, it only seemed a matter of time they’d get to the All-Star right-hander. And after Castellanos led off the bottom of the third with a game-tying home run, the dam burst.
