CINCINNATI – Bryce Harper continues to add to his impressive highlight reel in his time with Philadelphia. His round-tripper in the game on Thursday comes after the birth of his third child…and wouldn’t you believe it isn’t his first time in this situation?
Bryce Harper comes up in the clutch once again
Harper and fellow teammate Nick Castellanos have a knack for hitting home runs in scenarios you might not expect to happen. The scenario that played out last week was nothing short of incredible for Harper as his “Dad Strength” was activated again. This highlight only scratches the surface of the offensive revival the Phillies have invoked during April and could continue into May.
His return also sparked the beginning of a series split with their previous two games lost in a combined run total of 15-5. It was a slow start in the series finale as Trea Turner was the lone man to record a base hit prior to the third inning. That all changed, however, once the bats got hot and Harper launched a two-run shot to announce his return in a spectacular four-run inning.
Remember how I said earlier that this also wasn’t the first time he produced a homer after the birth of one of his children? Well five years ago in the City of Brotherly Love, he introduced his dad strength with a solo shot late to keep the Phillies in a tight game against the Pirates.
NBC Sports Commentator Jim McCarthy said it best when he stated how Harper is amazing with these moments. His talent for producing in a tight spot was one of many reasons why the Phillies offered him a 300 million-dollar contract. This ability was further highlighted in their last two World Series runs in which they made it to the big stage in 2022 and fell just one round short in the NLCS last season.
Looking Ahead For The Phillies
Bryce Harper’s blast may not have occurred in the bottom of the ninth in Game 7 of the World Series to give the Phils their first title since 2008 but it did help them to eight wins in their last ten games. This was good enough to keep them in second place in the NL East and two and a half games behind the first-place Braves. Next up on the docket is a three-game set in San Diego against the Padres and an All-Star lineup consisting of Fernando Tatis Jr., Xander Bogaerts, and Ha-Seong Kim, to name a few.
Aaron Nola (3-1, 3.16 ERA) is set to take the bump tonight opposite Joe Musgrove (3-2, 5.74 ERA) in a primetime matchup at 9:40 PM EDT. Ranger Suarez and Taijuan Walker will be the remaining starters in this series with the latter making his season debut. Walker’s return to the rotation made Spencer Turnbull the odd man out as he will now look to take on a relief role out of the bullpen.
AP Photo/Matt Rourke
