Bryce Harper's cold reaction to dirty Junior Caminero play almost triggered WBC fight

Tension was mounting during the World Baseball Classic before Team USA and Team Dominican Republic matched up Sunday night. The two clubs seemed to be on a collision course this tournament, and it exemplified a clash of the Titans in the WBC Semifinals. There were sure to be hard feelings no matter how the decision fell, but the rising heat specifically showed up on a play made by Philadelphia Phillies' first baseman Bryce Harper.

Team USA was holding a slim one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning, facing Tampa Bay Rays' slugger Junior Caminero. Flame-throwing closer Mason Miller of the Padres struck out Caminero with an 0-2 slider in the dirt and forced a play at first base. Caminero was thrown out easily, but Harper took exception to the route that Caminero took to the base.

Junior Caminero's unconventional run to first base clearly bothered Bryce Harper

Baseball fans know that there are unwritten rules when it comes to America's pastime. Whether it's sportsmanship or a general respect for the game, some things can set off an opponent when the unexpected happens. Caminero did something you don't always see and began to veer out of the baseline to attempt to get into the path of Will Smith's throw. He was clearly only trying to disrupt, not reach base organically. Harper was not pleased with the attempted distraction.

It's unclear what Caminero was trying to accomplish if he wasn't trying to be a bother. The only play was at first base, so the thought would have been to block Harper's view of the ball to possibly force a throw-away. Harper appeared to say something to Caminero after the out was recorded, but the Rays' slugger just jogged back to the dugout with no further escalation. Perhaps Caminero was trying to play hero again in a much different way after his home run earlier in the game to give the Dominican Republic an early lead.

Given all the tightness in the ballpark so late in the contest, it's surprising nothing happened further. Harper is a very competitive force, and there may even be some frustration to let out given how he's personally playing. That passion could have turned into something much uglier if the play had turned out otherwise. Luckily, the anger subsided quickly.

Team USA held on for a nail-biting 2-1 victory against a juggernaut D.R. offense and advanced to the WBC finals on Tuesday night. The contest between the two was sure to have fireworks, and it delivered on that promise. Luckily for both sides, it didn't have that one more spark to possibly taint the absolute masterclass both teams showed in an already eventful WBC.