ESPN News Services Jul 15, 2023 11:02 pm ET3 Minute Read
Bryce Harper hits a solo HR to center
Bryce Harper hits a solo home run into midfield for the Phillies.
PHILADELPHIA — Bryce Harper ended the longest home run streak of his major league career in the second game, and the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the San Diego Padres 6-4, 9-4 with a double-header on Saturday.
Harper scored from a left-hander Ryan Weathers (1-6) curveball to level the score at 1-1 in the fourth inning.
“That’s what he does,” said Phillies manager Rob Thomson. “Everyone was excited.”
The ball was caught barehanded in the Philadelphia bullpen in midfield by closer Craig Kimbrel.
Needing a healthy Kimbrel, Harper lightly told his leader not to go bare-handed again.
“That was stupid,” Harper said, drawing laughter from the reporters. “I’ve already spoken to him. It was terrible. You can’t do that. I mean, nice catch, but come on man.”
It was the fourth home run of the season for Harper, who made his debut on May 2, 2023 after recovering from Tommy John’s surgery. The home run was Harper’s first since May 25 in Atlanta against Dylan Dodd. He had completed 166 record appearances without going into depth.
Prior to that 38-game streak, Harper’s longest run without a home run last season was 25 games. It was only his fourth losing streak without a home run in at least 20 games of his career.
“Everyone talks about it all the time, but it is what it is,” Harper said of the drought. “Personally, for me, keep hitting baseball. Keep hitting him hard. I’m not going out to hit Homer. I’m not really trying to hit Homer. If you’re trying to hit Homer, that’s just no good.”
“Tonight I swung the ball really well and he managed to get out of there. Keep swinging and keep doing my thing.”
Harper has been limited to batting this season. Thomson said ahead of Friday’s game that Harper could be back on the field and play first base instead of his usual outfield position for the first time since April 2022, but then said Harper wouldn’t play first against San Diego.
Harper, 30, is in his fifth season on a 13-year, $330 million contract.
The Associated Press and ESPN Stats & Information contributed to this story.