Bryce Harper delivered a walk-off RBI single in the 10th inning off Houston closer Josh Hader, clinching a 3-2 victory for the Phillies on Monday night at Citizens Bank Park. The win highlighted a thrilling matchup between division leaders and extended Philadelphia's winning streak to three games.
“Happy it got through and happy to win the game,” Harper said in the clubhouse afterward.
Brandon Marsh contributed with a solo homer, and the Phillies, who now lead the NL East by six games over Atlanta, showed resilience throughout the game.
The Astros, entering the night 4 1/2 games ahead of Seattle in the AL West, saw their closer, Hader, struggle in the crucial moment. Harper faced Hader with runners on first and second and no outs, and he lined the first pitch—a 96 mph sinker—into right field, scoring automatic runner Kyle Schwarber.
Hader had struck out the side in order in the ninth, including Schwarber on a called third strike.
Matt Strahm (6-2) secured the win for Philadelphia, working a scoreless 10th. A crucial diving catch by center fielder Johan Rojas prevented Yainer Diaz from delivering a hit that could have potentially scored Houston’s automatic runner.
The Phillies had been limited by the Astros until Marsh’s opposite-field solo shot off Ronel Blanco in the fifth and Nick Castellanos’ RBI single in the sixth.
Zack Wheeler delivered a strong performance, allowing two runs on six hits over six innings, with six strikeouts and two walks.
“It’s fun,” Wheeler told reporters. “Two good teams going at it.”
The victory is significant for a Phillies team that has struggled with consistency but showed improvement since their series win in Kansas City. Harper, who entered the night hitting just .211 with three homers and 10 RBIs over his last 28 games—including a recent 0-for-24 slump—made a crucial impact in a clutch moment.
The series continues Tuesday night with Justin Verlander (3-3, 3.92 ERA) slated to pitch for Houston against Aaron Nola (11-6, 3.45 ERA) for the Phillies.
Prior to Monday's game, the Phillies placed left-handed reliever José Alvarado on the restricted list for a personal matter. Alvarado, who has a 4.30 ERA in 56 appearances and has converted 13 of 16 save opportunities, was replaced on the roster by right-hander Michael Mercado, recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
