He struck 14 consecutive solo house runs to start the 2021 season prior to he ripped a three-run homer to right field in the seventh inning Tuesday night in a 15-10 victory over the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Harper had actually been unaware of his strange little streak until just recently, when teammate Andrew Knapp informed him about it.
Harpers 15th homer of the season was his 4th hit in a career-high-tying five-hit night.
” Hey, you did it finally,” Knapp told him back in the dugout.
” Yeah, man,” Harper said. “Here we go.”
Here go the Phillies, too. They scored double-digit runs in successive games for the very first time since June 22-23, 2015. A victory Wednesday night versus the Cubs would move the Phillies (41-42) to.500 for the very first time considering that June 19, and provide their very first four-game road series triumph given that Aug. 31-Sept. 3, 2017, in Miami.
Everything began Tuesday with some familiarity against an old pal.
Andrew McCutchen had actually faced Jake Arrieta 62 times in his profession, mostly as a member of the Pirates, prior to the two played together the previous 2 seasons with the Phillies. Their 63rd conference came with the bases loaded and no outs in the top of the very first inning.
McCutchen barreled a 2-1 sinker tossed down the heart of the plate.
He sent out the pitch into the center-field bleachers for a grand slam. It was the 3rd slam of McCutchens career, and his 2nd in two weeks. It was the fifth time in franchise history the Phillies struck a grand slam in their 4th at-bat of a game. McCutchen joined Ryan Howard (Aug. 28, 2012, vs. Mets), Bobby Abreu (Aug. 4, 2005, vs. Cubs), Greg Luzinski (June 11, 1977, vs. Braves) and Dick Allen (July 8, 1965, vs Giants) in that category.
,” Phillies supervisor Joe Girardi stated. Ten pitches in, we had 4 runs and there was a lot of strong contact. Youve got to like it.”
Harper, McCutchen and Rhys Hoskins each had and homered four RBIs. It was the very first time the Phillies had 3 players with a minimum of four RBIs in a video game considering that Chase Utley, Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth did so on July 6, 2009, in a 22-1 triumph over the Reds.
Harper is batting.313 (15-for-48) with 7 homers, 12 RBIs and a 1.164 OPS in his last 13 games. McCutchen is batting.293 (29-for-99) with seven homers, 25 RBIs and a. 975 OPS in his last 31 games. Hoskins is batting.391 (9-for-23) with 4 homers, 10 RBIs and a 1.087 OPS in his last seven games.
Jean Segura had four hits, too. He has actually been hitting well all season.
” When were all going at the very same time, its a lot of enjoyable to see,” Harper said. “I think were coming into our own as a group.”
Harper increased his OPS from.878 to.914 in just one night. The Phillies will require more of that from Harper in the seasons final two-plus months. He has missed time since of numerous injuries, which has actually affected his production. He had actually been a finalist to make the National League All-Star team, but he did not make the group, even as a reserve.
Harper said he was dissatisfied, though he probably would not have gone anyhow– rather using those days to spend time with his household and rest his body.
He has long-term goals on his mind.
” I never ever take a look at my midseason numbers or my very first month or my second month,” Harper stated. “I attempt to look at it as a season, as a whole. Once we enter into September, ideally were in first place and were getting ready for some cold baseball in October.”
Beating the Cubs, who have lost 11 in a row, is an excellent way to arrive. They need to keep it going. They ought to like their possibilities on Wednesday. They have their ace Zack Wheeler on the mound.

A success Wednesday night against the Cubs would move the Phillies (41-42) to.500 for the first time given that June 19, and provide them their first four-game road series triumph since Aug. 31-Sept. Harper is batting.313 (15-for-48) with 7 homers, 12 RBIs and a 1.164 OPS in his last 13 games. Harper boosted his OPS from.878 to.914 in simply one night. The Phillies will require more of that from Harper in the seasons last two-plus months.” I never ever look at my midseason numbers or my very first month or my 2nd month,” Harper said.