PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bryce Harper achieved his 350th home run of the season, with four other Phillies players also hitting homers during the game on Wednesday night, but it still wasn’t enough for Philadelphia to defeat the Boston Red Sox.
Harper’s significant home run occurred in the first inning against Boston pitcher Lucas Giloito. He swung at the first pitch, a fastball, and sent it soaring into the second level of right field at Citizens Bank Park. The 439-foot home run was his longest since a 451-foot shot on September 23, 2023, versus the New York Mets.
“It’s really impressive,” Harper said after thePhillies’ 9-8, 11-inning defeat by BostonPersonally, I’m really pleased about it. However, I always aim to win, and not achieving the victory was quite challenging.
The home run was the most significant hit of the season for Harper, who has started to resemble his previous MVP form in recent weeks. In his past 10 games, the 32-year-old power hitter has recorded 16 hits, 14 of which were for extra bases, including five home runs.
He joined the ranks of 105 players in MLB history who have hit 350 home runs during their careers and is one of the eight current players to achieve this milestone. He is also the youngest among these eight players to reach this mark.
Even though they faced a setback, the Phillies can find comfort in the fact that their offense has begun hitting the ball with greater power since the All-Star break.
It’s disappointing to lose,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson stated. “However, the offense performed well tonight.
Harper’s home run followed a solo shot by Kyle Schwarber, who has hit four home runs in the past six games and is ranked third in the National League with 34 homers.
Nick Castellanos, Bryson Stott, and J.T. Realmuto each hit a home run in the Phillies’ defeat. Realmuto’s home run marked his first of the season against a left-handed pitcher. Stott also recorded a double, as he played in the game following the birth of his second child, a son, earlier that Wednesday.
It was a significant night for our offense,” Harper remarked. “I believed we hit the ball well throughout the series. I thought we had some outstanding at-bats. I’m really excited for (Stott) obviously, having a child at 3:45 in the morning, not getting much sleep, and then coming in and (performing as he did in the game) – that’s baseball. I swear it always happens.
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