Harper’s inside-the-parker helps Phils open pivotal series with a bang
PHILADELPHIA — Bryce Harper slid throughout residence plate, hopped up and prolonged his arms, like he needed his teammates to inform him they favored what they noticed. He shrugged his shoulders and smiled.
Harper hit an inside-the-park residence run within the fifth inning of the Phillies’ 10-4 victory over the Giants on Monday evening at Citizens Bank Park. It helped that San Francisco heart fielder Wade Meckler twisted like a pretzel in pursuit of the ball that ricocheted off the angled wall in heart, then bobbled the ball a pair occasions as Harper approached third base. But it counted. It was the Phils’ first inside-the-park homer since J.T. Realmuto’s in Game 4 of the 2022 National League Division Series, and it was their first within the common season since Harper’s on July 27, 2021, in opposition to the Nationals.
Harper’s inside-the-parker was the third of the Phillies’ 4 homers Monday, but it surely was simply essentially the most enjoyable.
The 4 homers — Edmundo Sosa, Alec Bohm and Kyle Schwarber additionally went yard — and Aaron Nola’s greatest begin in additional than a month helped the Phillies (68-57) take a three-game lead over the Giants (65-60) and a 2 1/2-game lead over the Cubs (65-59) for the high National League Wild Card spot with 38 video games to play.
The significance of the No. 1 Wild Card seed can’t be overstated, as a result of that staff will host the second-seeded Wild Card in a best-of-three NL Wild Card Series. Should the Phillies and the Giants tie for a Wild Card spot, their head-to-head report will decide the seeding. San Francisco leads the season sequence 3-1 with two matchups remaining.
Securing the No. 1 Wild Card spot is a giant deal for the apparent motive that Citizens Bank Park is a very tough place to play within the postseason. But it is also vital as a result of the Phillies are simply 6-23 (.207) at Oracle Park in San Francisco because the starting of the 2014 season, together with their present seven-game dropping streak there.
The Phils must win that high seed.
