What happened during the 9/6 Cubs/Nats game?

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I was at that game. Why did Bo Porter (Nats 3rd base coach) turn around and start screaming at the Cubs dugout?

[RaysFan_98]

I was at that game. Why did Bo Porter (Nats 3rd base coach) turn around and start screaming at the Cubs dugout?

I don't know i also don't know why Bryce took exception to the inside pitch causing the benches to clear.

[J W]

It started when Jayson Werth took a hack at a 3-0 pitch in the fifth inning, when the bases were loaded and Washington was up 7-2. That prompted an argument between Bo Porter and manager Jamie Quirk, who thought it was dishonorable or something. Quirk was ejected.

Then came the call to throw at Harper. And regardless of what they say, you can see by the catcher's reaction to the pitch that it was called for. Harold Reynolds pointed it out on MLB Tonight.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/gametracker/recap/MLB_20120906_CHC@WAS

[RaysFan_98]

It started when Jayson Werth took a hack at a 3-0 pitch in the fifth inning, when the bases were loaded and Washington was up 7-2. That prompted an argument between Bo Porter and manager Jamie Quirk, who thought it was dishonorable or something. Quirk was ejected.

Then came the call to throw at Harper. And regardless of what they say, you can see by the catcher's reaction to the pitch that it was called for. Harold Reynolds pointed it out on MLB Tonight.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/gametra...120906_CHC@WAS

Well its kind of the unwriten rule of baseball that you don't swing 3-0 when up big you also don't go around stealing bases when up big.... Clearly the nats have't gotten that memo.

[Brooklyn]

Well its kind of the unwriten rule of baseball that you don't swing 3-0 when up big you also don't go around stealing bases when up big.... Clearly the nats have't gotten that memo.

Did the cubs get the memo that they weren't allowed to try to comeback?

Teams need to do whatever they think gives them the best chance to win the game, whether that is swinging 3-0 or stealing a base up big.

Maybe if it were the ninth and a big lead I'd agree, but it was the fifth inning - teams have come back from five down countless times. If the nationals felt they had a chance to put the cubs away, they need to do whatever they feel is necessary

[Dude Paskert]

Did the cubs get the memo that they weren't allowed to try to comeback?

Teams need to do whatever they think gives them the best chance to win the game, whether that is swinging 3-0 or stealing a base up big.

Maybe if it were the ninth and a big lead I'd agree, but it was the fifth inning - teams have come back from five down countless times. If the nationals felt they had a chance to put the cubs away, they need to do whatever they feel is necessary

The baseball code has nothing to do with rational behavior, when you get right down to it.

[chicagowhitesox1173]

I can maybe see why stealing a base might be considered rubbing it in a opponents face. Although I think it's ridiculous teams feel that way. But I don't see a problem at all with swinging on a 3-0 count with a big lead. Is a player automatically suppose to take a pitch on 3-0?

The Cubs threw at Harper on purpose and if they think what the Nationals did was disrespectful maybe they should take a minute and look at themselves.

[metfan13]

5 run lead in the 5th is a little early to be begging for the mercy rule.

If it was 13-2, I could see the Cubs maybe getting pissed. I don't know exactly what the cut-off is on these things, but I kind of recognize it when I see it. 7-2 in 5th isn't it.

[ol' aches and pains]

So if Jayson Werth was the one who violated the sacred code, why did the Cubs throw at Harper?

[SamtheBravesFan]

So if Jayson Werth was the one who violated the sacred code, why did the Cubs throw at Harper?

Because he's the Nationals' most popular player, I guess.

[chicagowhitesox1173]

Because he's the Nationals' most popular player, I guess.

And I have to wonder if the Cubs were angry when he scored on a groundball to the pitcher. Maybe the Cubs thought he made em look bad there too.

[Bothrops Atrox]

Reporter to Whitey Herzog: "why do your players keep stealing bases when you have big leads?"
Herzog: "I'll stop running with big leads when the other team stops trying to hit homeruns with big leads."

Teams come back from 5 run leads all the time. I am sure given the histories of these two inept franchises, that fans of both teams can remember multiple 5-run leads they have seen their heroes give up. Maybe Quick has forgotten. There is no unwritten rule about not wanting to increase a 5-run lead with half of the stinkin' game left.

Quick and the Cubs are just embarrased by getting shellacked all the time and the anger is starting to spill over. Of course Werth should be trying to get more than one run in (if possible). But if he swang at a ball on a 3-0 count, he is just stupid, not unsportsmanlike.

And if I were Harper, I'd take exception too - getting thrown at when I didn't do anything wrong. Especially when the reason behind it was nonsense.

[ipitch]

But if he swang at a ball on a 3-0 count, he is just stupid, not unsportsmanlike.

Tell that to the 25 guys that hit home runs on 3-0 pitches this year.
EDIT: Sorry, I meant home runs, not grand slams.

[KHenry14]

And unlike the Cubs, the Nats are in the middle of the pennant race, which means every game counts. There is no playing nice in the middle of the team's first pennant race, you bury every team if you can.

[ol' aches and pains]

And I have to wonder if the Cubs were angry when he scored on a groundball to the pitcher. Maybe the Cubs thought he made em look bad there too.

The Cubs certainly don't need any help to look bad.