Harper gives Phillies what they’ve wanted
Bryce Harper threw his helmet off rounding the bases, thrust his arms in the air and screamed while teammates stormed out of the dugout to mob him.
That’s what Philadelphia has been waiting for from its $330 million man.
Harper hit a tworun double off Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen with one out in the bottom of the ninth after pinchhitter Matt Beaty hit a threerun homer off Phillies closer Hector Neris in the top half, rallying Philadelphia to a 98 win over Los Angeles on Tuesday night.
“That’s what baseball is all about,” Harper said. “Against one of the best closers, it’s always fun.”
Pinchhitter Andrew Knapp, a Cal alum, hit a double with one out after Adam Haseley’s grounder hit off Jansen’s right foot near the ankle and rolled to first base. Cesar Hernandez followed with a single and Scott Kingery’s bloop single to center scored Knapp to cut the Phillies’ deficit to a run. Harper then ripped a ball to the gap that bounced off A.J. Pollock’s glove and went to the wall to win it.
“That was a huge moment for Bryce,” Philadelphia manager Gabe Kapler said. “You could see how important that was for him.”
Cody Bellinger hit his majorleagueleading 34th homer and Max Muncy, A.J. Pollock and Joc Pederson also went deep for the Dodgers.
Philadelphia left fielder Jay Bruce left the game in the third inning with a right oblique strain.
Yankees 8, Rays 3: Aaron Judge hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning, and Didi Gregorius followed with a grand slam as host New York beat Tampa Bay.
Nationals 8, Orioles 1: Matt Adams and Juan Soto homered and Washington breezed at Camden Yards.
Marlins 12, Padres 7: Brian Anderson hit a three-run homer in the first inning and host Miami handed San Diego its fourth consecutive loss.
Indians 8, Tigers 0: Oscar Mercado hit a two-run homer and Zach Plesac and three relievers combined for a one-hitter for host Cleveland. Nicholas Castellanos had Detroit’s only hit with a leadoff single up the middle in the fifth inning off Tyler Clippard.
Blue Jays 10, Red Sox 4: Teoscar Hernandez hit a three-run homer off new Boston starter Andrew Cashner, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. added three hits for visiting Toronto.
Diamondbacks 9, Rangers 2: Rookie Alex Young allowed one run in 51⁄3 innings as visiting Arizona beat Texas.
Cubs 4, Reds 3: Kyle Schwarber hit a solo home run with one out in the bottom of the 10th inning at Wrigley Field.
Brewers 13, Braves 1: Christian Yelich hit a grand slam, Keston Hiura and Lorenzo Cain each had a solo homer, and host Milwaukee got a much-needed win after losing eight of its past 10.
Pirates 3, Cardinals 1: Colin Moran drove in the go-ahead run with an infield single and visiting Pittsburgh scored twice in the ninth inning to top St. Louis.
Mets 3, Twins 2: Michael Conforto went 4-for-4 and drove in the go-ahead run with a two-out single in the fifth inning, giving visiting New York enough to win.
Royals 11, White Sox 0: Glenn Sparkman pitched a five-hitter for his first career complete game, and Whit Merrifield and Hunter Dozier each had three hits with a homer for host Kansas City.