As Bryce Harper rounded the bases in the seventh inning Saturday afternoon, the Washington Nationals en route to a 5-2 win thanks to his two-run home run to the second deck, the letters M, V and P flashed on the right field scoreboard. And as he went through the many teammate-specific celebrations after crossing home plate, Harper was serenaded by chants of “M-V-P” by adoring Nationals fans.
Forget for a moment the disenchantment of this season — likely to end in two weeks because the Nationals still face a seven-game division deficit with 14 remaining — and consider what Harper has accomplished. While the team around him struggled, Harper has delivered unequaled excellence on a regular basis.
Some may feel Harper’s campaign was for naught, coming amid the Nationals’ disappointing season. But the 22-year-old delivered one of the finest offensive seasons in recent history, regardless of his age.
[Thomas Boswell: Harper’s season for the ages could have long-term effects]
“His numbers say he is [the NL MVP],” starter Jordan Zimmermann said. “We’ll see at the end of the season, but I’m pulling for him.”
There has been no shortage of statistical analysis of Harper’s exceptional season, but few numbers are as telling as this: His 203 OPS+ (a version of on-base-plus-slugging percentage that adjusts for stadiums and leagues) is the highest since Barry Bonds’s 263 in 2004. And that was before Harper homered and drove in three runs on Saturday.
“We’ve got [14] games left, so not really worried about the MVP or anything like that,” Harper said. “I’ve said that numerous times. Just trying to win ballgames. And just trying to do everything I can to help this team win. I definitely loved the support from the fans today, and that was great to see them out there on a good Saturday.”
Harper’s performance backed Zimmermann (13-8) and the bullpen. Zimmermann allowed two runs — both coming in the first — and struck out seven over six innings, working through early command issues before settling down. Felipe Rivero, Blake Treinen and Jonathan Papelbon preserved the win.
For the third straight game, the Nationals trailed 2-0 three batters into the game. Zimmermann’s command was to blame Saturday. Dee Gordon, a threat to Harper for the NL batting title, singled. Christian Yelich doubled to score Ichiro Suzuki, who beat a relay throw home. Justin Bour, a former All-Met out of Westfield High and George Mason, singled in a run to give the Marlins a 2-0 lead.
“I like to throw my fastball and I just didn’t have very good command today, so I just stuck with what was working and it happened to be the slider,” Zimmermann said.
Marlins starter Brad Hand was cruising into the fifth before he imploded. Tyler Moore, who started despite a .174 average against left-handers because of his success against Hand, smashed a low fastball to center field for a solo home run that halved the deficit. Zimmermann followed with a single, and Anthony Rendon and Yunel Escobar walked to load the bases.
Harper then had the type of at-bat that few hitters can, one that will be overshadowed by his home run. He fouled off five pitches, including one that broke his bat. He called to the dugout for batting gloves because the bat was slipping, but decided to stick with his bare hands, dirt and rosin.
“That’s the evolution of his game,” Manager Matt Williams said. “Grind at-bats. Bases loaded. The lefty-on-lefty matchup. Staying on balls. Doing what he can to put that ball in play. Those are the steps he’s made this year and will continue to make that will allow him to do the things he wants to do on the field.”
On the 10th pitch of the at-bat, Harper lined a ball to right field, deep enough to score Zimmermann, who tagged up. Harper drove up Hand’s pitch count, which proved beneficial to the next two batters.
“Didn’t care what he was going to throw up there, I was just trying to battle and do the best I could to get something in the air or get something through a hole,” Harper said.
Hand then walked Jayson Werth on five pitches, extending the outfielder’s on-base streak to a career-high 28 games. Hand next walked Ian Desmond on four pitches with the bases loaded to give the Nationals a 3-2 lead.
Two innings later, Harper added the knockout blow. Reliever Kyle Barraclough fired a slider to Harper, who, despite a swing that ended with his back leg nearly on the ground, drilled a line drive to right field for his 41st home run of the season. After Papelbon notched the final three outs with two runners on, Harper was interviewed on the field, and again, Nationals fans chanted “M-V-P.”
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