Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper and closer Jonathan Papelbon on Sunday got into a dugout fight a day after Washington was eliminated from playoff contention, tangling in the eighth inning of a 12-5 loss to last-place Philadelphia.
In the ninth, Papelbon (4-3) gave up Andres Blanco’s go-ahead homer as the Phillies scored eight times.
Harper, the National League Most Valuable Player front-runner, flied out in the eighth with the score 4-4. As he returned to the dugout, he exchanged words with Papelbon, who was acquired from Philadelphia in July to help with a possible post-season push.
Photo: AFP
Papelbon then reached for Harper’s throat with his left hand and shoved the outfielder back toward the bench with both arms. Teammates pulled the pair apart.
Harper was replaced in right field for the ninth.
ASTROS 4, RANGERS 2
Photo: AFP
In Houston, Texas, Dallas Keuchel (19-8) improved to 15-0 at home this season, striking out 10 while giving up one run and two hits in seven innings. Houston maintained a half-game lead over the Los Angeles Angels for the second American League wild card and closed within two-and-a-half games of AL West-leading Texas.
Luke Gregerson threw a perfect ninth for his 29th save.
Martin Perez (3-6) allowed two runs — both unearned — and five hits in six innings.
CUBS 4, PIRATES 0
In Chicago, Jake Arrieta pitched seven dominant innings and also homered in his MLB-best 21st winas Chicago stopped Pittsburgh’s winning streak at eight games.
Arrieta (21-6) retired his first 18 batters before Gregory Polanco grounded a leadoff single into left field in the seventh. The right-hander homered in the second and struck out nine while improving to 15-1 with a dazzling 0.89 ERA in his last 19 starts.
Pittsburgh (95-61) and Chicago (90-65) each have clinched playoff spots and lead the NL wild-card standings, so the Pirates could see Arrieta again in the first game of the post-season on Oct. 7.
The Pirates could still catch St Louis for the NL Central title. They trail the Cardinals by three games and were to open a three-game series at home against St Louis yesterday.
ANGELS 3, MARINERS 2
In Anaheim, California, Kole Calhoun singled in the tiebreaking run in the eighth after Carson Smith relieved Hisashi Iwakuma (9-5) as Los Angeles won their fifth straight.
David Freese homered in the fifth for the Angels (81-74), who remained a half-game behind Houston. Los Angeles also moved just three games behind the Rangers, with four games in Texas to end the season.
Pinch-hitter Mark Trumbo hit a tying homer off Fernando Salas (5-2) in the eighth for the Mariners (74-82), who were mathematically eliminated on Sunday. Seattle lost their final five road games and ensured their fifth losing season in six years.
In other results, it was;
‧ Twins 7, Tigers 1
‧ Royals 3, Indians 0
‧ Red Sox 2, Orioles 0
‧ Yankees 6, White Sox 1
‧ Blue Jays 5, Rays 4
‧ Mets 8, Reds 1
‧ Marlins 9, Braves 5
‧ Brewers 8, Cardinals 4
‧ Rockies 12, Dodgers 5
‧ Giants 5, Athletics 4
‧ Diamondbacks 4, Padres 2
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