Things are always spicy between the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves. Wednesday night was just the latest chapter in a decades-long beef.
Emotions have been running high in the rivalry since the two teams squared off in each of the last two National League Division Series. The wild card Phillies defeated the division champion Braves both times, with the hostility ramping up during each passing matchup.
In Game 2 of the 2023 NLDS, Bryce Harper was doubled off first base on a flyout to center field for the final out of the game, and Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia reportedly ran through the clubhouse after the game yelling, "Ha-ha, Harper." Harper quickly got his revenge.
Harper hit two home runs in Game 3, a 10-2 drubbing by the Phillies, and stared a hole through Arcia both times while rounding the bases. It was a moment that lived on in Philadelphia sports lore, as the Phillies went on to win the series at home the next night.
But when Arcia did the same thing to Harper on his two-run home run on Wednesday night, a game the Phillies came back to win 3-2, Harper didn't seem too concerned.
“I don't care," Harper said, per Todd Zolecki of MLB.com "I couldn't care less. I already did it."
Arcia, who has had a difficult season at the plate, crushed a two-run shot off starting pitcher Aaron Nola in the bottom of the fourth inning, his 12th of the season. The Braves had won the first game of the series and were looking to clinch a series win, but the Phillies had other plans.
With an RBI groundout and two timely sacrifice flies, the Phillies mounted a comeback, stretching their lead to seven games in the NL East. After the game, Arcia reportedly denied staring Harper down in the first place.
"I was just enjoying my home run," Arcia said through an interpreter, per Zolecki.
It's not as though the Atlanta-Philadelphia needed more juice, but the home run staredown subplot has certainly added an extra layer of intensity. Thursday night's series finale, which could have tiebreaker implications if the Braves somehow mount a late-season charge, could be a combative one.
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