Categories: 2019 Postgame Recaps

Bryce Harper, long balls lead the way for Phillies’ fourth straight win

Bryce Harper has four home runs in three days. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire)

Coming off a sweep of a potential postseason rival, the Phillies did nothing to stop the hot streak Friday evening as they defeated the San Diego Padres, 8-4, in the first game of a three-game set. Going into the matchup, starting pitcher Vincent Velasquez had not allowed a single run in 17.1 innings against San Deigo, walking one batter while striking out 25.

Cesar Hernandez started off the scoring in the bottom of the second. With runners on second and third, Hernandez delivered a single to right field, nabbing his 53rd RBI of the season.

The Phillies’ offense continued to do damage in the bottom of the third. With no outs, Roman Quinn drilled a 93 mile-per-hour pitch into the second deck in right field. It was the speedy outfielder’s fifth home run of the season, and it gave the Phillies a 2-0 lead:

However, the bombs would not stop there. Two batters later, J.T. Realmuto would belt his 18th home run of the season, extending the lead to three runs. That home run was the All-Star’s third in his last four games:

That would not be all for Realmuto, however. In the bottom of the fifth, Realmuto delivered a double off the right-field wall that allowed Bryce Harper to score from first base. Later in the same inning, Logan Morrison would have a double of his own, allowing Jean Segura to reach home. That would make it 5-0 Philadelphia.

The Padres would finally score off of Velasquez in the top of the sixth. With runners on the corner, a wild pitch by Velasquez allowed Josh Naylor to score while Eric Hosmer advanced to second. Hosmer would later come around to score on a Francisco Mejía triple, making it a 5-2 game:

That wouldn’t be it, however. Mejía would eventually score on a fielder’s choice, cutting the Phillies’ lead to two runs.

In the bottom of the sixth, Hernandez drew a walk to lead off the inning. Two batters later, Quinn was hit by a pitch, putting two men on with one out. That would set the stage for Harper. The walk-off hero of Thursday night’s game, Harper didn’t take his foot off the petal for this matchup. He delivered a three-run home run, giving Philadelphia an 8-3 edge over San Diego. It was Harper’s 26th home run of the year. He now has 7 RBIs in his last two games, and sits at 90 on the season:

Naylor would have his third hit of the game in the top of the eighth. He would score on a fielder’s choice two batters later, which would be the Padres’ last run of the game. Hector Neris came in to pitch in the ninth and was able to preserve the win, even if it wasn’t a save opportunity. With the victory, the Phillies now sit at 64-58 on the season and are tied with the Chicago Cubs for the second National League Wild Card spot.

Shibe Vintage Sports Pitching Performance

As previously mentioned, Velasquez came into this game with a solid scoreless streak against the Padres. He would extend that streak into the sixth inning. Overall, he pitched 5.1 innings, giving up five hits, three runs (all earned), and two walks. He struck out five while throwing 108 pitches.
Chris Paddack, the Padres’ 23-year-old pitcher, had a rough outing today. Despite coming into the game with a solid 3.26 ERA, Paddack allowed five runs (four earned) in 4.2 innings, giving up nine hits and two walks. He struck out six.

Phillies Nuggets Player of the Game: Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper has continued to show us why he is the cornerstone of the lineup. Harper followed up his grand slam walk-off with a two-for-five night, delivering a three-run home run to put the game out of San Diego’s reach. Harper now has eight home runs and 18 RBIs for the month of August.