BOSTON — Ryne Harper went from anger to joy in less time than it takes for his curveball to generate a swing and miss. At first, he couldn’t believe what Tacoma Rainiers’ manager Pat Listach was telling him on Friday night at Cheney Stadium.
Despite being the best performing reliever in the Rainiers’ bullpen with a 2-0 record, three saves and 1.89 ERA and 15 appearances, Harper was being told he was demoted to Class AA Arkansas for a short time. It made no sense to him.
Listach told him to check the travel itinerary carefully to make sure he could make his flight.