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Bryce Harper: ‘I feel like I let my team and the city of Philadelphia down…’
Bryce Harper is shouldering the blame after the Philadelphia Phillies lost in soul-crushing fashion to the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 7 of the NLCS at Citizens Bank Park last night.
The Phillies, along with Harper, had every opportunity to win their second-straight National League Pennant last night against the D-Backs. That obviously did not happen and looking back over the past week, the red hot, dominant team that cruised past the Marlins and Braves in the first two rounds of the postseason had finally cooled off at the worst time possible.
Nick Castellanos went 0-23 with 11 strikeouts after hitting a home run off Zac Gallen in Game 1 of the NLCS. Bryce Harper and Trea Turner combined to go 4-for-35 after Game 2 of the NLCS.
The struggles of both Castellanos and Turner were on full display last night in Game 7.
4th Inning, Runners 1st and 3rd, One Out: Sac Fly opportunity to extend Phillies’ lead to 2 runs. Castellanos strikes out on three breaking balls out of the zone.
5th Inning, Runner on 2nd, Zero Outs: Turner failed bunt attempt on the first pitch. Rolled over on weak breaking ball. Harper fly out to warning track, Schwarber stuck on second because. Phillies couldn’t advance runner.
Bottom 7, Runners 1st and 2nd, One Out: Turner waves at two breaking balls. Fly out.
Bryce Harper on Game 7 Loss in the NLCS
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Harper stepped up to the plate with two outs, two runners on base, and the Phillies down two runs. The result was a fly out to left centerfield to end the inning.
“I feel like I let my team down and let the city of Philadelphia down as well” – Bryce Harper (via MLB.com/Todd Zolecki)
Phillies NLCS Notes:
- 2-0 series lead heading to Arizona (W,W)
- 1-0 lead in 7th inning of Game 3 (L)
- 5-2 lead in 7th inning of Game 4 (L)
- Bounce back Game 5 (W)
- Score 1 run in Game 6 at CBP (L)
- 1-for-10 with RISP in Game 7 at CBP (L)
I’m not going to sit here and rank the worst all-time loses in Philadelphia sports history like every other website on the internet this morning.
The Phillies gave this series away in Game 3 and Game 4 (shoutout Craig Kimbrel) and after “bouncing back” with a win in Game 5, they had not one, but two chances to beat an 84-win team in the Arizona Diamondbacks at home to win their second consecutive National League Pennant.
Instead, they scored just one run in Game 6 and two runs last night in Game 7, completely choking away two perfect opportunities to clinch and advance to the World Series.
So yeah, Bryce can shoulder the blame but all things considered, there was plenty to go around.
Read More: The Massive Highs and Crushing Lows of the 2023 Philadelphia Phillies >>
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Good pitching usually beats good hitting. Hard to win a World Series with only one ace on our staff in Wheeler. Nola performed more like a 3rd or 4th starting pitcher this season. Credit to the Dbacks aces; they were the difference.
Show up or go home. That’s the reality of the situation.
They can each feel sorry. Maybe actually getting a better manager, too. But, my dad watched the Phil’s way back in the Ashburn era. He never expected much, so was presently pleased win or lose. Better attitude for fans. But maybe payroll needs to get chopped.
Next year will be even better!