Bryce Harper stepped up for the Phillies on Tuesday night, propelling them to a 9-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds despite the rainy conditions at Citizens Bank Park.
Harper's three home runs, including a grand slam, and Brandon Marsh's solo shot contributed to the Phillies' offensive output.
Spencer Turnbull, making his Phillies debut, showcased his pitching skills by striking out seven batters over five innings, helping to secure the win for Philadelphia.
Harper, who had struggled earlier in the season and entered the game with an 0-for-11 streak, quickly found his rhythm. He kickstarted the Phillies' offense with a solo home run in the first inning and added another in the fourth, both off Graham Ashcraft.
Harper's highlight of the night came in the seventh inning when he smashed a grand slam off Brent Suter, marking his seventh career grand slam.
“That’s what the great players do,” manager Rob Thomson said. “They have big nights like that. It’s always just a matter of time for him. He’s a great hitter. I don’t really get concerned with Bryce.”
This performance marked Harper's second career three-homer game and his 26th multi-homer game overall. He finished the game with a career-high six RBIs.
Harper's achievement marks him as the first Phillies player to hit three homers in a game since Brad Miller did so on July 8, 2021, at Wrigley Field. He's also the first Phillies player to hit three homers in a game, including a grand slam, since Jayson Werth accomplished the feat on May 16, 2008, at Citizens Bank Park,
“He had a really good day,” Turnbull told reporters. “It was awesome to see. It’s really fun to see guys get hot — especially like that. I’m sure I’ll always remember that part.”
Turnbull surrendered an unearned run and three hits. The righty was elevated into the rotation when Taijuan Walker was placed on the injured list with a shoulder issue at the end of spring training.
Ricardo Pinto made a noteworthy return to the big leagues by pitching four innings to secure his first career save since 2019. Despite allowing three runs, two of which were earned, and five hits, Pinto's performance proved crucial, allowing Thomson to give his bullpen arms some much needed rest.
Pinto's addition to the roster came as the Phillies designated right-hander Connor Brogdon for assignment on Monday. However, Pinto's journey to the ballpark was far from ordinary. Starting his day with Triple-A Lehigh Valley in Rochester, he encountered travel hurdles when the Phillies couldn't secure a flight to get him to Philadelphia. As a result, Pinto embarked on an eight-hour drive - roughly 350 miles - to reach the ballpark, eventually arriving after the fourth inning had begun.
“He got stuck in traffic,” Thomson said. “But that’s a baseball player. It’s like American Legion.”
Pinto originally signed with the Phillies in 20212 out of Venezuela. He made his Major League debut with the club in 2017, posting a 7.89 ERA over 25 appearances. He then bounced around, spending time with Tampa Bay, Detroit, and the Chicago White Sox while completing stints abroad in Taiwan, Korea, Mexico, and Venezuela. He signed a minor league deal with the Phillies this past winter after playing in an independent league last season.
Spencer Steer had three hits for the Reds, including an RBI single in the ninth. Ashcraft was charged with three runs, two earned, and four hits, in the loss.
The two clubs will conclude their three-game set on Wednesday with Zach Wheeler on the mound for the Phillies opposing Frankie Montas.
