Washington Nationals Rapid Reactions: Bryce Harper and Kris Bryant Highlight Wild Night At Wrigley
By Ricky Keeler
May 26, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) hits a home run against the Washington Nationals during the eighth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Harper And Bryant Showcase The Future
Bryce Harper and Kris Bryant are two of the great young players in baseball. Last night, the two friends who grew up playing baseball together in Las Vegas stole the show at Wrigley Field on a game that was broadcasted on ESPN.
Let’s start with Harper. He went 1-for-4 on the night, but his one big hit came in the seventh inning. After working the count to 3-1 against Hendricks, he popped up a 89 mile per hour sinker that appeared to be a routine fly out to left. However, that’s where the Wrigley Field wind kicked in, which carried the ball over the wall in left field. Even Harper, who hit his 17th home run of the season, was stunned as the ESPN camera caught him saying wow as he crossed home plate.
Sometimes, the game of baseball has its way of evening itself out though. In the top of the ninth, Harper hit a laser to center field off Hector Rondon, but it went right to Fowler in center field. Even with that outcome, Harper still was able to provide his daily contribution.
As for Bryant, he has hit two home runs in as many nights in this series. He is hitting .264 this month with six home runs and 20 RBI’s. One of the things that is impressive about Bryant is that he is very pitch selective, just like Harper. In the four at-bats he had last night, he saw a total of 21 pitches.
The highlight at-bat came in the eighth inning against reliever Aaron Barrett. You can’t blame Matt Williams for going to Barrett in that spot because it was only for one batter. Plus, Drew Storen had thrown three out of the last four days, so Casey Janssen would have probably been used later in the game. In the end, on the eighth pitch of the at-bat against Barrett, Bryant crushed a 3-2 slider 477 feet off the left field scoreboard to tie the game.
Right now, Bryant has to be the lead candidate for NL Rookie Of The Year along with Joc Pederson of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Plus, Bryant plays very good defense at the hot corner. In the second inning, he made a great barehanded play to throw out Wilson Ramos at first base. These two young players are becoming the next superstars in the game right before our eyes.
Next: Nationals Sloppy Defense Continues