Harper getting walked again, but teammates delivering this time

Here's yet another sign that Bryce Harper has nearly made it all the way back from his months-long slump at the plate: Teams are intentionally walking him again.

That was the strategy early this season for opposing clubs facing the reigning National League MVP. Harper was intentionally walked 13 times in his first 43 games.

But as he slid into his funk, the strategy changed. No longer as fearful about losing the game in that situation, opposing managers intentionally walked Harper only three times in 84 games.

Now, though, Harper has been on a prolonged tear at the plate. In 28 games since taking a break in August to deal with a neck injury, he has hit .301 with a .407 on-base percentage and .931 OPS.

Which has begun to prompt teams not to pitch to him. Twice in the last six days, Harper was intentionally walked. And in each case, the man who followed him in the Nationals lineup delivered a run-scoring hit.

It first happened Wednesday night against the Braves, when Harper was intentionally walked in the 11th inning to load the bases for Wilson Ramos. Ramos responded with a walk-off single to left, giving the Nationals a dramatic 5-4 victory.

It happened again Monday night: The Mets intentionally walked Harper with two outs and a man on second, only to get burned by Anthony Rendon, who launched a three-run homer seconds later that helped propel the Nationals to an 8-1 win.

For Rendon, there was extra satisfaction in making the opposition pay for not respecting him as a hitter as much as Harper.

"I mean, as a competitor, yes," Rendon said. "But obviously it makes sense. I won't hold a grudge against them. But obviously I want to do well, and it's almost like a slap in the face. It's a good move. I don't think you want to pitch right-lefty to Harper, the reigning MVP, so it makes sense."

The Nationals weren't particularly good at making opponents regret the decision to pitch around Harper earlier this season. The Cubs issued four free passes to Harper during a two-game stretch in early May. And in each case, Ryan Zimmerman (hitting behind him) made an out.

Now they're taking more advantage.

"That was some of the problems earlier in the year," manager Dusty Baker said. "The guys weren't responding like they are now. You don't always have to try to hit a home run, which I'll take. But if they're putting him on intentionally, most of the time there's a runner in scoring position, and really all you need is a base hit."

Harper had quite an impact on Monday night's 8-1 victory. He drew three walks in the game. One came with the bases loaded, allowing him to drive in a run. The other two came with fewer men on base, but he did eventually come around to score.

"Bryce had the three walks today, and they were all very instrumental in us putting up some crooked numbers today on offense," No. 3 hitter Daniel Murphy said. "With the way Tony was swinging the bat today, he had a great at-bat there. I had the best seat in the house from second base. ... It really speaks volumes to how Bryce is grinding out at-bats lately and also with the way Tony is swinging the bat as well.