Johnson: Let Bryce be Bryce

Less than 24 hours ago many were up and arms after Bryce Harper admired a long single he thought would leave the yard, rather than legging out a near sure double. Unacceptable? Absolutely. But the demands to bench him, or attributing Harper's action pure selfishness, became a tad excessive.

Fast forward to Tuesday night's win over Tampa Bay. The Phillies are up 9-4 in the eighth inning and Harper is on second after recording his third double of the game.

Nick Castellanos is intentionally plunked with 96 mph sinker in the lower back by Ray's reliever Edwin Uceta.

Before Castellanos had the chance to utter anything to Uceta, Harper had already taken his helmet off and was charging towards the mound, followed quickly by both dugouts.

"He hit him on purpose," Harper said after the game. "It's not the game that we play, man. Guys throw too hard these days. You're getting mad because a guy hit a home run off you, or you blow the lead. Walk the guy, come out of the game. It just really fired me up. It upset me."

Brandon Marsh quickly stepped in between Harper and a handful of Rays players, but not after some choice words were exchanged.

These types of games bring a team together, and in the middle of it, the franchise player. Yes, Harper can be over-aggressive at times and make mistakes like every player. But he is accountable for he and his team's play, he doesn't pull punches, and he goes all out when the moment is biggest.

Let Bryce be Bryce.