John Matthews
WMAL.com
CHICAGO — (WMAL) Bryce Harper is so good, he sets major league batting records without ever hitting the ball.
Harper walked six times and was hit by a pitch Sunday – reaching base seven times without getting a hit, becoming the first player in more than a hundred years to do that, and tying the major league record.
Three of those walks were intentional, including two in the 10th and 12th innings with two men on base – a sign of respect from Cubs manager Joe Maddon, who preferred facing Ryan Zimmerman with the bases loaded twice to allowing Harper to have a chance at swinging the ball himself.
Maddon’s gambles were both successful, as Zimmerman failed to advance runners in either case, en route to setting his own major league record. Zimmerman left 14 men on base Sunday. The previous record was 12.
Despite Zimmerman’s failures Sunday, he says he hopes teams continue to put Harper on base.
“Perfect,” Zimmerman said with a smile. “I love it. I hope they do. … I can’t blame them for walking him. He’s one of the best if not the best player on the planet right now. It doesn’t matter if it’s me behind him or anybody behind him, they’re going to take their chances with someone else. It’s up to me for the rest of the year to come through. I look forward to having more opportunities like that.”
Hopefully, the Nats will do better with their future opportunities. They fell to the Cubs in 13 innings, 4 – 3 Sunday, and were swept in four games by the National League juggernaut, falling to secong place in the NL East to the Mets.
Copyright 2016 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (PHOTO: MLB.com)
