Kyle Harrison would have done it a third time.
The second-year Giants lefty doubled down after throwing consecutive high-and-tight pitches to Bryce Harper that resulted in a benches-clearing scuffle and shoving during the Phillies’ 6-1 road win Wednesday.
“I would’ve gone in again. Why not?” Harrison said. “We’re trying to get guys out and it’s a spot where I thought I could get him. Might’ve leaked a little too in, but really just focused on the baseball side and trying to execute, that’s it.”
Tempers flared in The Bay on Wednesday after Harrison brushed Harper off the plate on back-to-back pitches, the second of which hit Harper’s bat.
With the Phillies leading 2-0 with runners on second and third and two outs in the fourth inning, Harrison threw a 94-mph fastball a little too inside in a 1-2 count and Harper backed up to avoid being hit.
Harper then stared down at Harrison and shouted something at him.
On the very next pitch, Harrison came in even more inside with a 93-mph heater, this time causing Harper’s helmet to fall off as he backed away.
That pitch actually hit the knob of Harper’s bat, resulting in a foul ball.
Harper dropped his bat and then turned slowly toward Harrison while home plate umpire D.J. Reyburn stood in front of him to prevent a fracas.
The lefty slugger said multiple times after the game that Harrison “didn’t mean to” come that close to hitting him, and his reaction stemmed from being hit in the face by a Cardinals pitcher during a 2021 game.
“I don’t want to get hit in the face again, that’s about it. Don’t want to get hit in the face,” Harper said. “You get hit in the face, man, it’s not fun.”
He added: “I wasn’t really that mad. Just throw the ball over the plate.”
The Phillies’ bench then emptied, leading to the Giants’ benches emptying.
Some light shoving ensued, with Phillies announcer Tom McCarthy stating that Giants hitting coach — and former Phillies star — Pat Burrell may have started the shoving.
The at-bat eventually resumed, with Harrison inducing a groundout to end the threat.
The Phillies had the final laugh, registering four runs on 12 hits in five innings against Harrison to avoid a three-game sweep.
Harrison had no regrets about the situation.
“Maybe missed a little in, but trying to get him out, man,” Harrison said. “He’s a good player, so gotta put it in spots where he might not be happy.”