What a night it was in Washington, D.C.
Tuesday marked Bryce Harper’s first game back in Washington since the star right fielder made the move to the Philadelphia Phillies — the Nationals’ division rivals.
Unsurprisingly, Harper was viciously booed during his first at-bat, and proceeded to fan twice against Nats starter Max Scherzer.
That caused the Nationals to take a shot at Harper on Twitter, and poking fun at the All-Star using lyrics from the “Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air” intro.
Yo homes, smell ya later. pic.twitter.com/3Jf1aR8mJq
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 3, 2019
thank u, next
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 2, 2019
Harper finally made a dent in his third at-bat, doubling to right field off his Cy-Young-winning former teammate, and motioning to the crowd after he rolled into second base.
The first #MLBNShowcase of the 2019 season goes to @bryceharper3 and the @Phillies! pic.twitter.com/daV1QmEtR2
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) April 3, 2019
But it got so, so much more fun from there.
Harper came to the plate in the eighth inning and absolutely tanked a home run, and followed it up with the most appropriate, deliberate and disgusting bat flip we might see this season.
A MONSTER 2-run homer for @bryceharper3 makes it 8-2 @Phillies on #MLBNShowcase! pic.twitter.com/7i6w27NRo2
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) April 3, 2019
FLIP. FLIP. FLIPADELPHIA. pic.twitter.com/6fNdWIA4vF
— Cut4 (@Cut4) April 3, 2019
Harper finished the evening going 3-for-5 with three RBIs as the Phillies cruised to an 8-2 win. Harper in Washington officially is appointment viewing. Make note. Say what you will about the 26-year-old and his decision to leave Washington, but we’re all for April baseball dramatics.
