Bryce Harper slugs 3 HRs as Phils overwhelm Reds

Field Level Media|published: Tue 2nd April, 21:56 2024

Apr 2, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3) runs the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park. credits: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Bryce Harper hit three home runs, including a grand slam, and drove in a career-best six runs to lift the host Philadelphia Phillies to a 9-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday.

It was the second career three-homer game for Harper and his first since 2015.

Brandon Marsh added a solo home run and two singles for the Phillies.

Philadelphia starter Spencer Turnbull (1-0) tossed five innings and allowed three hits and one unearned run to go along with seven strikeouts and no walks.

Ricardo Pinto, who was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley earlier Tuesday, threw four innings and gave up five hits and three runs (two earned). Pinto earned his first major league save.

Will Benson hit an RBI double and Spencer Steer had three hits and an RBI for the Reds.

Cincinnati committed three errors, two by Elly De La Cruz.

Reds starter Graham Ashcraft (0-1) gave up four hits and three runs (two earned) in six innings. He walked one and fanned five.

The Phillies extended their lead to 8-1 in the seventh inning on an RBI single by Kyle Schwarber and Harper's grand slam, which came off Brent Suter.

The Reds closed within 8-2 following a throwing error by third baseman Alec Bohm in the eighth.

Philadelphia went ahead 1-0 in the first inning when Harper snapped an 0-for-11 skid by launching a solo shot to center field.

Benson hit his run-scoring double to right to tie the game at 1 in the third.

In the fourth, Harper hit his second home run, this time to right, for a 2-1 advantage. It was also his 1,000th career run.

Steer singled to center to open the fifth for the Reds. He managed to advance to second base on a passed ball by Garrett Stubbs with two outs. However, Jonathan India grounded out to Bohm to end the threat.

Harper appeared to have another extra-base hit in the sixth, but Benson made a diving catch in right-center. The Phillies still managed to add an unearned run in the frame for a 3-1 lead, as Trea Turner scored from third on a throwing error by De La Cruz.

—Field Level Media

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