The Washington Nationals suffered a tough loss on Tuesday night after outfielder Bryce Harper misplayed a game-saving catch against the San Francisco Giants and following the game the young star was criticized for his defensive play on the ball by closer Rafael Soriano, saying it cost the team the game.
The Nationals lost 4-2 against the Giants on Tuesday after Harper allowed a ball to get past him in the ninth inning that ended up as an RBI triple for Gregor Blanco that tied the game after the Nats were up 2-1. Soriano said that Harper should have been in better position to make the catch and the play also highlights what happened to Harper last week when he crashed into an outfield wall at Dodger Stadium. Harper appeared to flinch when going for the ball near the wall on Tuesday night and after the game Soriano pointed out that his four year old son knows where he should be positioned with two outs in the game in the ninth.
Soriano did not say anything about Harper's effort on the play to USA Today, but he felt that he should have made the play and been in a better position on the ball. Soriano later said that his comments were off the record in the interview with USA Today and blamed himself for not doing his job as a closer, where he has blown three saves this season. Soriano was the primary closer for the Yankees last season while Mariano Rivera was hurt and he signed with the Nationals in the offseason.
Manager Davey Johnson spoke to reporters about the incident and said that the issue was not a big deal between the players and the team has moved on from it. Harper originally needed 11 stitches in his chin after colliding with the wall against the Dodgers and he also was banged up with an injured knee and missed two games. Harper took the blame for the loss and the team dropped to .500, while Harper has been having a solid season with a .284 batting average with 11 home runs and 22 RBIs.
