Bryce Harper calls out Washington Nationals fans for early exit

Sep 6, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) during an at bat against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park. (Brad Mills/USA Today Sports)

Sep 3, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder Bryce Harper (34) at bat during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 3, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder Bryce Harper (34) celebrates with third baseman Yunel Escobar (5) after scoring during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park. (Tommy Gilligan/USA Today Sports)

Sep 2, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) walks back to the dugout after striking out during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. The Nationals defeated the Cardinals 4-3. (Jeff Curry/USA Today Sports)

Sep 1, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) hits a one run sacrifice fly off of St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Marco Gonzales (not pictured) during the third inning at Busch Stadium. (Jeff Curry/USA Today Sports)

Aug 31, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) scores on a double by first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (not pictured) as St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (4) waits for the relay throw during the first inning at Busch Stadium. (Jeff Curry/USA Today Sports)

Aug 30, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) runs to third base during the fifth inning against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park. (Tommy Gilligan/USA Today Sports)

Aug 27, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) singles during the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres at Nationals Park. (Tommy Gilligan/USA Today Sports)

Aug 26, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a run against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning at Nationals Park. (Brad Mills/USA Today Sports)

Bryce Harper called out Washington Nationals fans for leaving Monday’s 8-5 loss to the division-leading New York Mets early.

“I mean, they left in the seventh. That’s pretty brutal,” the Las Vegan said following the game. “I don’t know, whatever.”

Harper, a National League Most Valuable Player candidate, was referring to thousands of fans departing Nationals Park after the Mets scored three runs in the top of the seventh to take an 8-5 lead.

The Mets rank sixth in road attendance, at 32,143, and probably felt right at home in the ninth, when their fans cheered loudly as New York closer Jeurys Familia struck out the side.

Nationals closer Jonathan Papelbon also criticized the passion of Washington fans Friday night following the team’s win over the Atlanta Braves.

“I got a little bone to pick with fans,” said Papelbon, who earned the win. “I saw a few of them sitting down. We need to stand up in those situations. ‘Cuz this is playoff baseball.”

The Nats drew their second-smallest crowd of the season Friday, when the announced attendance was 23,536.