The rivalry between the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies is not for the weak of heart. Of all the rivalries in the NL East, it is one of the most intense.
That makes instances like the one that played out on Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park placed under the microscope more so than any run-of-the-mill incident between two star players. Phillies star Bryce Harper was forced to leave Tuesday's game against the Braves during the bottom of the first inning after Atlanta's Spencer Strider dotted Harper's elbow with a four-seam fastball.
As you can see from the clip below, Strider was immediately showered with boos from the home crowd in Philadelphia as Harper was eventually forced to go down to one knee to deal with the pain. Considering this was the elbow that Harper had surgically repaired via Tommy John surgery in 2022, the concern from the Phillies and their fans was very real.
Bryce Harper Was Hit by Spencer Strider’s Pitch on Tuesday
Strider was frustrated with himself after hitting Harper after being ahead in the count but the Braves star was quick to defend himself following the 2-0 loss when asked about the pitch that removed Harper from the lineup.
“Certainly not trying to hit him,” Strider said, via the Associated Press. “I thought in the moment, I just assumed he had a guard on and was just pissed that I hit him. Saw him in pain. That was tough. I’m definitely relieved he’s OK. He’s one of the best players this century. He needs to be on the field. It’s best for the game. It’s good for us, good to compete against him.”
The pitcher doubled down on the defense of himself and the pitch in question by shooting down any thoughts that Strider is indifferent about the outcome of the play.
“I’m not a complete sociopath, so I have some empathy,” Strider said. “I do feel bad for him, to see a person in pain that I caused.”
Ultimately, Strider and his Braves teammates know that he wasn't trying to injure Harper. The Phillies are well aware of this, too. Injuries happen in the game of baseball. All that matters now is how Strider and Atlanta bounce back from Tuesday night's loss as they sit in third place in the NL East with hopes of catching Philadelphia in the standings sooner rather than later.