Tensions Flare in Washington Nationals Dugout

When you start the season as the expert's pick to represent the National League in the World Series there is a huge amount of pressure put on your shoulders even before the first pitch of the season.

But, when you finish the regular season 9 games out....that's called a meltdown. That's just what happened to the Washington Nationals. They haven't finished the regular season just yet. However, being 9 games out with 6 games left to play mathematically eliminates you from the playoffs. And that can cause tension in any locker room....and that it did.

In yesterday's game, Nationals (and possibly league) MVP Bryce Harper popped the ball up and trotted down to first base. As it is 99.9% of the time the popup was caught for an out. Well it seems teammate Jonathan Papelbon took exception with the way Harper ran to first base saying he didn't try hard enough. As if, by some form of magic, Harper sprinting to first base would have made a difference in the outcome of the play. Harper entered the dugout and Papelbon began yelling at his teammate. Harper responded and that's when it got real out of hand real fast. Papelbon grabbed Harper by the throat and teammates quickly jumped in to break it up.

I understand frustration, I really do, but when you're a has been pitcher who has been responsible for many of your teams short comings is it really wise to start a fight with the only saving grace of your team this season? It's been noted that Papelbon is, for lack of a better term, a raging douchebag in his personal life and I guess it finally bled through. Either way, you can see the fight below.