Bryce Harper Shines in Phillies' 13-0 Victory Over Giants
Bryce Harper delivered an impressive performance on Wednesday, leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a commanding 13-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Harper's contributions included a home run and three doubles, marking his most significant outing since rejoining the team at the end of June.
With four extra-base hits, Harper set a new career high, reminding fans and critics alike of his prowess on the field. "I'm really good. I mean, I really am," he stated post-game, emphasizing his confidence. "I don't want to put that out there and everybody go, 'What's he talking about?' But I know when I'm going well, I'm one of the best in baseball. I'm healthy. I'm strong. I feel great."
This season has been challenging for Harper, who struggled with wrist inflammation that sidelined him for much of June. Prior to Wednesday's game, he had managed just one hit in 14 at-bats over four games. However, he turned things around against Giants pitcher Justin Verlander, launching a 3-1 fastball over the left-field wall for his first home run since returning from injury.
Post-game, Harper highlighted the significance of getting ahead in counts. "I hate talking about individual (achievements) and all that kind of stuff," he remarked. "But if I get into good counts and don't swing at crap away, or in, or anything else, then I'll be right where I need to be."
Harper's career total now stands at 346 home runs over 14 seasons, and he faced Verlander for the first time in their respective careers. "That's an all-timer, man," he said of Verlander. "He's going to be a Hall of Famer and he's had an unbelievable career... All the respect to him, but I was happy I was able to get that out of the way."
Despite his standout game, Harper's season statistics reflect ongoing struggles; he is batting .259 with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs across 65 games. His on-base-plus-slugging percentage sits at .819, significantly lower than his career average of .906, which he led during his MVP seasons in Washington (2015) and Philadelphia (2021).
The Phillies improved to 54-39, moving a half-game ahead of the New York Mets, who faced rain delays in Baltimore. Manager Rob Thomson expressed optimism about the team's potential if Harper can maintain this level of performance. "If Harp gets hot," Thomson noted, "it might be fun to watch."
