Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies wrapped up a three game series yesterday against the San Francisco Giants, losing the finale in extra innings, 8-6. 

Michael Lorenzen was on the mound for the Phillies in the finale and had yet another rough outing. He lasted just 5.2 innings while allowing eight hits, four earned runs, and three walks while striking out four.

 At the plate, the Phillies were productive late in the game. After falling behind 4-0 heading into bottom of the sixth. Kyle Schwarber finally got The Fightins on the board with a solo home run, only to be followed by Trea Turner who hit a solo shot of his own, cutting the Giants’ lead in half, 4-2. 

Kyle Schwarber x Trea Turner: Back-to-Back Home Runs

The Giants would extend their lead yet again in the top of the seventh thanks to an Austin Slater double off Jeff Hoffman that gave them a 5-2 lead. In the bottom of the ninth down three runs, Bryce Harper stepped up to the plate with Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner both on base. 

Harper, never scared of “the moment” delivered a game-tying three-run home run to tie the game at 5-5.

Bryce Harper Game-Tying 3-Run Home Run in the 9th Inning 

Bryce Harper is officially back.

His game-tying three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning was his third home run in his last three games. He’s homered in five out of the last seven. Over the last 16 games, Harper is batting .345 with five doubles, seven home runs, 15 RBIs and a 1.228 OPS. 

With 35 games left in the 2023 regular season, Harper returning to form while players like Trea Turner and Nick Castellanos having incredible August months, the Phillies are clicking on all cylinders while sitting in first place in the NL Wild Card with a 2.5 game advantage over the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds. 

The Phillies had more than a few opportunities to win this baseball game but thanks to a few incredible defensive plays, highlighted by a catch from centerfielder Austin Slater that gave me acid flashbacks to Chas McCormick robbing JT Realmtuo in the World Series, spoiled any opportunity to take the lead. 

Craig Kimbrel struggled in extras, allowing three runs (two earned) on a hit and a walk, and the Phillies managed to only score one run in the bottom of the 10th on an Edmundo Sosa double which resulted in the 8-6 loss to the Giants.  

Phillies Hunt for Red October

After a day off today, the Phillies will welcome the St. Louis Cardinals to Citizens Bank Park this weekend. The Cards will come to South Philly in last place in the NL Central. They are losers of seven out of their last 10 games.

Join The Chase