Walking Harper a polarizing, but savvy, tactic

WASHINGTON — Events of the last week have demonstrated that one viable strategy for defeating the Washington Nationals is this:

Walk Bryce Harper.

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The Chicago Cubs did it over the weekend, sweeping a four-game series from the Nats. They walked Harper 13 times over four games, setting a record for walks to one hitter in a series. This culminated in a 13-inning walk-fest on Sunday in which Harper was walked six times and once hit by a pitch. Three of the walks were intentional.

The Detroit Tigers, who entered Tuesday night’s 5-4 win over the Nationals having lost seven straight, came to the “walk Harper” conclusion at the game’s most crucial moment. His team holding a one-run lead with one out in the ninth and a runner on second, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus opted to intentionally walk Harper.

This meant that Ausmus was putting the winning run on base, setting up a gold rush of second-guessing possibilities. But it also meant that he was making the right decision. Detroit closer Francisco Rodriguez issued the intentional walk, then struck out Ryan Zimmerman and got Daniel Murphy to fly out to center to end the game and seal the 394th save of Rodriguez’s career.

DYK: Harper’s stunning six-walk performance

These are proven Major League hitters appearing after Harper in the Washington lineup. Zimmerman had already homered twice in this game before the ninth. Murphy finished the night with a .398 …

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