Nope. Hitting him would have been better. I pray Espinosa gets a reason to slide in at 3rd.
Not a reason. Just an opportunity. Pirates announcers claim that Kang had a reason to trick Harper into sliding. Opportunity seems to be the same as a reason. Why Espinosa? He probably wears plenty of armor to protect against HBP. Otherwise, let Ramos pinch-run if a Nats gets to 2B. Feet-first "slide" toward Kan's knees.