The Washington Nationals started the season as the favorites to win the World Series as they have signed 2013 AL Cy Young Winner Max Scherzer to a seven-year, $210 million deal, as predicted by a report from MLB.com. However, they have stumbled since July, being mathematically eliminated from the postseason as the New York Mets clinched the NL East crown in a 10-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds, according to ESPN.

The Nationals reached a new low when NL MVP front-runner Bryce Harper got into a fight with closer Johnathan Papelbon in the dugout, as per another ESPN report. After flying out in the eighth inning, Harper exchanged words with the right-handed pitcher before the scuffle happened while their teammates pulled them apart.

Papelbon went for the 22-year-old's throat with his left hand then shoving him back towards the dugout bench with both arms. You can watch the video of the fight below.

The former Red Sox and Phillies closer spoke to the media after the game, saying that he was at fault for the incident. "I'm in the wrong there. For me, I can't allow that to happen in the middle of a game. You can handle that after the games or allow the manager to handle that. So in that light of it, I'm wrong," Papelbon said as quoted by the Associated Press.

"It's squashed and it's good, we've moved on. I grew up with brothers, he grew up with brothers. I view him as a brother. And sometimes in this game, there's a lot of testosterone and things spill over," he added via ESPN.

Harper was also asked about the incident after the game, saying, "He apologized, so whatever. I really don't care. It's like brothers fighting. That's what happens. I'm used to fighting the other team."

Nationals manager Matt Williams, who could possibly be fired after the season, gave some comments about the fight. "What I can tell you is this: This is a family issue and we'll deal with it that way. There was an altercation in the dugout, and we'll leave it at that," Williams said, per the Associated Press.

Papelbon was supposed to be suspended for three games after plunking Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado in the 5-4 Orioles win last Sept. 24. Harper feared that Baltimore will retaliate with a beaning of their own as it was one of those baseball's unwritten rules.

He said to FOX Sports, "It's one of those situations where it happens and, I don't know, I'll probably get drilled tomorrow."

After the Papelbon trade, the Nationals had a 52-46 record and a one-game lead in the NL East over the Mets but have gone 27-30 since, according to USA Today.