Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Bryce Harper. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Bryce Harper takes completely bizarre at-bat vs. Brewers

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 7/19/23

Bryce Harper left many fans befuddled by the strange at-bat he took against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday.

Harper’s Philadelphia Phillies lost 5-3 to the Brewers. Harper went 1-for-4 in the game, including an odd strikeout in the sixth inning.

Facing Brewers reliever Hoby Milner, Harper did not swing the entire at-bat. Milner actually threw Harper three straight balls at one point. But once he realized Harper was not swinging, Milner threw two straight strikes to get the strikeout.

ok bryce wtf pic.twitter.com/ZMIVjsWVGx

— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) July 20, 2023

If you were left confused by that at-bat, you’re not alone. Even Milner said after the game he didn’t understand what was happening.

The content you all crave: Hoby Milner discussing the strange at-bat against Bryce Harper in which he took six pitches the entire way en route to a punchout looking.

“He just stuck to a game plan and credit to him for sticking to it, I guess.” pic.twitter.com/bS07xtzGQP

— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) July 20, 2023

“He just stuck to a game plan and credit to him for sticking to it, I guess,” Milner said after the game, via Brewers reporter Curt Hogg.

Why did Harper go up there and refuse to swing the entire at-bat in a tie game? That’s unclear. But Harper was playing through an illness in the game.

The 30-year-old outfielder is battling a cold that left him with a fever and without his voice. And something led to him taking an at-bat in the sixth like he was a reliever who wanted nothing to do with it.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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