PHILADELPHIA — Braves pitcher Spencer Strider tried to keep his composure on the mound after drilling Phillies superstar Bryce Harper with a 95 mph fastball in the first inning on Tuesday night. Sure, he wasn’t trying to hit Harper on his surgically repaired right elbow, and he definitely wasn’t trying to knock the left-handed hitter out of the game.
But even after Harper left the field with a trainer and manager Rob Thomson by his side, Strider wouldn’t allow himself to be shaken. A start can go south much too quickly.
“No disrespect to him or the other person, but you kind of have to stay focused on what you’re trying to do in the moment,” Strider said.