PHILADELPHIA — Bryce Harper ended the longest homerless streak of his major league career in the second game, and the Philadelphia Phillies swept a doubleheader from the San Diego Padres 6-4 and 9-4 on Saturday.
Harper connected on a curveball from left-hander Ryan Weathers (1-6), tying the score 1-1 in the fourth inning. «That's what he does,» Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. «Everybody was excited.» The ball was caught barehanded in the Philadelphia bullpen in center field by closer Craig Kimbrel.
Needing a healthy Kimbrel, Harper lightheartedly told his closer not to make a barehanded grab again. «That was stupid,» Harper said, causing laughs among reporters. «I already talked to him.
It was terrible. You can't do that. I mean, nice catch but come on man.» It was the fourth homer of the season for Harper, who made his 2023 debut May 2 after recovering from Tommy John surgery.