Nationals and Bryce Harper display textbook timing with appeal drop

7:24 PM ET

WASHINGTON — It’s like déjà vu all over again.

Last September, Bryce Harper was suspended one game by the Washington Nationals for his role in the highly publicized dugout dustup with closer Jonathan Papelbon. While Papelbon received suspensions from both the team and the league, the only ban Harper got was from the Nats. Although the star outfielder sat out his one game on a Monday, the day after the Sunday incident with Papelbon, then-manager Matt Williams had previously indicated that Monday was going to be a day off for Harper anyway.

Dropping his appeal allowed Bryce Harper to serve his one-game suspension during the nightcap of Saturday’s doubleheader with the Marlins. AP Photo/Nick Wass

Seven and a half months later, history is repeating itself. Kind of.

Earlier Saturday afternoon, following Washington’s 6-4 victory in the opener of a day-night doubleheader against Miami, the Nats announced that Harper had dropped his appeal and would serve a one-game suspension during Saturday’s nightcap against the Marlins.

In case you forgot, Harper was ejected on Monday, in the ninth inning of a tie game against Detroit, for arguing with home-plate umpire Brian Knight after teammate Danny Espinosa was called out on strikes. Moments later, after pinch-hitter Clint Robinson clubbed a walk-off home run, Harper returned to the field to …

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