Bryce Harper often gets criticized for not running to first, but Trea Turner took the art of not hustling to a whole new level Monday night.
In the fourth inning of the Nationals' 6-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, Turner bunted the ball straight back to Brewers pitcher Jhoulys Chacín. But instead of sprinting down the first base line, Turner threw down his bat and helmet and began walking the other way.
Maybe not Trea Turner‘s best effort here. pic.twitter.com/TgqdkQjxpR
— Rudy Gersten (@DCBarno)
July 24, 2018 In a moment of sheer irony, MASN aired an ad featuring Turner promoting the Nationals' "Kids Run the Bases" promotion right after the incident.
“I’ve never seen that before” -FP on Trea Turner pic.twitter.com/yFND70N2nv
— Rudy Gersten (@DCBarno)
July 24, 2018 Nats fans were quick to tweet their exasperation with Turner, who went on to play the rest of the game. 106.7 The Fan's Grant Paulsen tweeted that Davey Martinez should have pulled Turner for his lack of effort.
Trea Turner will remain in the game to play shortstop. Martinez should have sat him for Wilmer Difo. At some point you've got to throw your weight around. #Nats
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen)
July 24, 2018 "I actually thought the ball hit him," Martinez said after the game. "I thought it hit him in the hand or something. I was trying to scream inside to see what they saw, and they said he just bunted the ball.
"So I was like, 'Why would he walk up the field?' In that moment, we're trying to win a ballgame. There's a good chance he won't play tomorrow."
In another ironic twist, Turner was named the Nationals 2018 'Heart and Hustle' Award winner on Tuesday, just hours before he's likely benched for his failure to hustle.
Can't believe this email landed this morning. pic.twitter.com/BlrBFCIBYY
— Barry Svrluga (@barrysvrluga)
July 24, 2018 Follow Josh Luckenbaugh and 106.7 The Fan on Twitter.
