Bryce Harper hit a two-run single in his first at-bat after a 52-game absence due to a broken left thumb, helping the streaking Philadelphia Phillies to a 7-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night.
Harper grounded out twice and lined out sharply in his three other at-bats in his first action since being hit on the hand by San Diego Padres left-hander Blake Snell on June 25.
The reigning NL MVP batted cleanup as the designated hitter and helped the Phillies win their fifth straight game. Philadelphia, which went 32-20 without Harper, began play in second place in the NL wild-card race.
Harper jogged out for warmups to loud cheers and «Let's Go Harper!'' chants 25 minutes before first pitch. The ovation from the announced crowd of 30,546 was deafening when Harper was introduced 20 minutes later.