The Braves sit on the cusp of playoff elimination, having spent Game 3 of the NLDS on the wrong end of a 10-2 romp by Bryce Harper and the Phillies on Wednesday night.
With Atlanta’s 104-58 season seemingly about to go up in smoke, the team is responding to this turn of events by feuding with reporters over the publication of a quote from shortstop Orlando Arcia mocking Harper after the Braves capped their Game 2 win with a wild double play.
“The clubhouse is a sanctuary, and I think when things like that get out it doesn’t make people wanna talk to the media at all,” Atlanta catcher Travis d'Arnaud said. “It affects the people who have been great to us all year, and it is what it is.”
Travis d’Arnaud blamed the media for letting the “atta boy Harper” quote get out pic.twitter.com/tN7SlkE1Mc
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 12, 2023
According to Jake Mintz of Fox Sports, Arcia repeatedly said "Ha-ha, atta-boy, Harper!” in the clubhouse after the Braves pulled out their thrilling 5-4 victory on Monday.
Harper responded by staring down Arcia after hitting two home runs in Game 3.
Game 4 is scheduled for 8 p.m. Thursday night in Philadelphia.
