Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper tied an MLB single-game record by drawing six walks in Sunday’s 4-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs, becoming the first player to achieve the feat since Jeff Bagwell in 1999, per ESPN Stats & Info.
The 23-year-old superstar had six walks and a hit-by-pitch in seven plate appearances during the 13-inning contest, making him the first player in MLB history to reach base seven times in a game without recording a single at-bat, per Elias Sports Bureau (via ESPN Stats & Info).
It wasn’t enough to prevent his team from suffering a four-game sweep at Wrigley Field, but Harper truly had a remarkable series, drawing 13 walks while logging only four official at-bats (one hit) in 19 plate appearances against the dominant Cubs.
Even after getting swept in Chicago, the Nationals boast a 19-12 record that leaves them a half-game behind the New York Mets (19-11) for first place in the National League East.
The 24-6 Cubs, meanwhile, have become just the 10th team in MLB history to win 24 or more of their first 30 games in a season, per MLB Stat of the Day.
With the NL West looking shaky and the NL Central mediocre behind Chicago, it seems quite possible the Cubs and Nationals could meet again in October, perhaps with a trip to the World Series on the line.
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