Marlins Take Down Nationals
MIAMI (AP) — Washington left fielder Bryce Harper didn't stay around to see the Nationals lose to the Miami Marlins in extra innings on Saturday night.
Harper was ejected by home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt after arguing a called third strike in the eighth inning of Washington's 2-1, 10-inning loss to Miami.
The ejection was the second this season for Harper, who was thrown out May 5 at Pittsburgh. He was tossed once as a rookie last year.
"He called it a strike and I wasn't going to take it," said Harper, who also had complained about a called third strike in his previous at-bat, leading off the sixth. "So I gave him a piece of mind and got out what I wanted to get out and he threw me out."
Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Harper's frustrations were aimed at the wrong person.
"You can't do that," Johnson said. "Take it out on the pitcher. You can't take the frustration out on the umpire."
Ian Desmond said Harper needs to remember the big picture in such situations.
"You've got to have your three-hole hitter in the game right there — it's as simple as that," Desmond said. "The person that hits three hole usually is one of your better players, usually the best. There's no doubt the skill set is there, but in a one-run ball game, we need that game, that's the game you have to stay in no matter what. Sometimes you've got to bite your tongue. We all get bad calls.
"That's why I always say this game is chess not checkers — it's stuff you'll learn over the course of your career. I think he may or may not realize the ramifications of being ejected, but hopefully he'll learn from it and move forward.
Washington starter Dan Haren surrendered three hits in six scoreless innings, striking out one and walking one.
Giancarlo Stanton homered leading off the ninth inning to tie it and Ed Lucas beat out a double-play relay in the 10th for the winning run.
Stanton homered on a 1-2 pitch off Rafael Soriano leading off the ninth to make it 1-all. It was Soriano's fourth blown save overall and first in the last 13 opportunities.
"If you throw something hard over the middle of the plate, he's going to kill you," Johnson said. "That was a hanging cutter. It's a tough one."
Steve Cishek (3-4) struck out Scott Hairston and Ryan Zimmerman with runners on second and third to end the Washington 10th.
Adeiny Hechavarria opened the Miami 10th by reaching second when third baseman Chad Tracy fielded his chopper but threw the ball into stands.
Craig Stammen (4-4) walked Jeff Mathis, and Placido Polanco sacrificed both runners over. Justin Ruggiano was intentionally walked to load the bases.
Lucas grounded to second baseman Steve Lombardozzi, who threw to shortstop Ian Desmond for the forceout at second. Lucas beat the throw to first as the winning run scored.
Jose Fernandez went six innings, allowing one run and four hits. The Marlins' All-Star Game representative walked three and struck out four.
Jayson Werth's sacrifice fly in the fourth gave Washington a 1-0 lead. Harper drew a leadoff walk, took third on Adam LaRoche's one-out single and scored when catcher Jeff Mathis failed to grab the one-hop throw from Marcell Ozuna, who caught Werth's flyball in medium center field.
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