Monday Morning Notes: Hamels admits to hitting Harper

PBR - Cole Hamels admitted following last night's contest in Washington that he intentionally plunked Bryce Harper with a pitch in the first inning.

"I was trying to hit him," Hamels told reporters. "I mean, I'm not going to deny it. It's something that I grew up watching. I'm just trying to continue old baseball, because I think some people get away from it. I remember when I was a rookie, the strike zone was really, really small and you didn't say anything, because that's the way baseball is. But I think unfortunately sometimes the league is protecting certain players and making it not as that kind of old school, prestigious way of baseball."

A fine or suspension is likely, but Hamels believes the message will resonate with Harper and the upstart Nationals.

"It's just welcome to the big leagues," said Hamels.

The Phillies currently sit 4 1/2 games behind the Nationals in the NL East.

The two clubs will meet again later this month with a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park.