Bryce Harper was hitless to start the season. Then, Tuesday night happened.
The Phillies superstar slugged three home runs in the first seven innings against the Reds, saving the best for last with a grand slam.
Harper was off to an 0-for-11 start, the worst stretch to begin a season in his career that’s included two National League MVPs.
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3) runs the bases after hitting his second home run of the game during the fourth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY SportsOn top of that, Harper’s most memorable moment through Philadelphia’s 1-4 start was arguably him tumbling into the first base dugout and failing to catch a foul ball on Saturday against the rival Braves.
His big night against the Reds, though, should change that.
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Harper’s big day started from the jump when he crushed a solo home run 420 feet to center field off Cincinnati starter Graham Ashcraft.
The slugger got the best of Ashcraft again in the fourth when he pounded a line drive over the right field wall for a solo home run.
The blast was a milestone for Harper, who scored his 1,000th career run.
Harper broke the game open in the seventh inning against lefty reliever Brent Suter, smacking a down-and-in pitch out the strike zone 422 feet into right-center field for his third home run of the night.
It was just the second time he’s accomplished a three-homer game, the last time coming in 2015 with the Nationals.
Bryce Harper had his first three hits of the season on Tuesday night. APIf it weren’t for Will Benson’s spectacular diving catch in the sixth, Harper likely would’ve had four extra-base hits in four at-bats.
But the three homers and six RBIs should be good enough to bust of his season-opening slump.
