Bryce Harper bounced back from starting the season hitless in 11 at-bats by connecting on three home runs during their April 2 home game against the Cincinnati Reds. He followed Jayson Werth as the only players in Phillies history to hit three home runs in a game at Citizens Bank Park.
As the rains poured, it was also raining home run balls for Harper, helping the Phillies get their second win in five games.
He got his first home run (and hit) of the season in the first inning when he sent Graham Ashcraft’s sinker into left-center field. That hit also gave the Phillies a 1-0 lead. At the bottom of the fourth, he drilled another home run against Ashcraft, this time to right field.
Harper’s biggest hit of the night came in the bottom of the seventh inning against pitcher Brent Suter. The two-time National League Most Valuable Player completed a grand slam home run to stretch their lead to seven, 8-1.
Bryce Harper delivered the first 3-HR game of 2024!
— MLB (@MLB) April 3, 2024
(MLB x @loanDepot) pic.twitter.com/cFHkPyq86v
The Reds made a valiant effort to come back, but Ricardo Pinto completed the save as Philadelphia held onto a 9-4 win.
Aside from three hits from four at-bats, Bryce Harper contributed three runs and six RBIs. Left fielder Brandon Marsh also had a hot bat, collecting three hits and an RBI in four at-bats.
Spencer Steer led the Reds with three hits in four at-bats. No other Cincinnati player had more than one hit. Cincinnati’s defeat dropped them to 3-2.
Meanwhile, Spencer earned his first victory of the season after giving up only three hits and one run in five innings.
-Lance Fernandez