The Philadelphia Phillies fell to the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 on Thursday night, with Kyle Schwarber hitting a deep ball, Bryce Harper yelling at an umpire and getting tossed, and Trea Turner stealing second and advancing to home.
With a drive into the second deck in the first inning, Schwarber hit his 46th home run, matching his tally from the previous season as the NL’s leader. Turner stole third base in the eighth inning, and the score became 3-2 when he crossed home plate on catcher Jason Delay’s poor throw.
However, in the fourth inning against Luis L. Ortiz, Harper appeared to hold his swing on a full count, setting off the most dramatic moments of the regular season home finale. Ngel Hernández, the third base umpire, ruled out Harper as he was about to take off his shin protector. Hernandez was walking down the baseline when Harper lost his cool, pointed at him, and said something.
Rob Thomson, the manager, had to physically remove Harper when he pointed a finger in Hernández’s face. Harper then rushed back to the bench, hurling his helmet over the safety netting and into the spectators.
I recognize that you have to uphold a particular big-leaguer attitude, Harper said. “I get that, but you have to behave like it and prove that. But at the same time, it’s plain wrong when a bad call is made or anything happens. for all people.
Hayden Dorfman, a 10-year-old from Voorhees, New Jersey, found the helmet. The helmet was taken by team members, who later gave it to the child along with a handwritten note from Harper.
Harper remarked, “It’s just bad, just all around.” “You’re working hard in that at-bat against a player I’ve never met. I have to take a slider down and in at a 3-2 count, which obviously didn’t work. and wasn’t even considering [strike three] at the time. When I heard the reaction of the crowd while removing my clothing, I just thought, “There’s no way.
It’s “angel in the middle of something again,” Harper remarked. Simply said, the narrative and situation are the same every year. Michael Hill will undoubtedly write me a letter and fine me for being right once more. It is simply wrong that the same event keeps happening over and over again.
WHEEL MOVEMENT
In his final practice start before taking the mound in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series on Tuesday, Zack Wheeler threw 67 pitches over four innings while striking out five batters. The $118 million, five-year contract that the 33-year-old Wheeler signed prior to the 2020 season has been honored. He has been a rock at the front of the rotation and has made more than 30 starts for the second consecutive year. Wheeler finished in second place for the NL Cy Young Award in 2021, the first of the two seasons (together with 2023) in which he attained 200 strikeouts.
Before the game, Thomson exclaimed, “What a great contract.” He has truly been worth every penny for what he has given us, including all the victories, innings pitched, and big-game appearances.
LARGE CROWD
The Phillies gathered 34,046 spectators on a windy, chilly night at Citizens Bank Park, bringing their final home attendance to 3,052,605, comfortably their greatest season total since they last attracted 3 million spectators in 2013. Wheeler only allowed one run.
The Phillies had a 49-32 record at home and will host at least two more teams the following week. Prior to losing Game 4 of the World Series, they won six straight home playoff games. Thomson remembers it with affection when a rival coach called playing a postseason game at CBP “four hours of hell.”
Thomson is aware that a good day at the ballpark entails more than just catching a spectacular play by Harper or a Schwarbomb. One reason Thomson thanked team members in the hours following the team’s wild-card win was to make them feel like a part of the Phillies community. This is the reason Thomson gave appreciation to gameday staff at a picnic at the field earlier this month.
Thomson stated, “I believe it takes everyone in this building and everyone in (Florida) to do what we’re doing to get to the playoffs. “Part of the deal with our fan base is that they enjoy themselves at the stadium in addition to supporting a strong club, which makes for entertaining television. These people come in here, have a nice time, enjoy a quality production, and cheer because of their hospitality. It resembles a team within of a team. I believe that saying thank you to everyone is crucial.
PIRATES POWER
For the Pirates, Jared Triolo contributed two RBIs and Jack Suwinski contributed a run-scoring single. In five innings, Ortiz (5-5) recorded four strikeouts.
In the ninth inning, David Bednar successfully avoided a leadoff walk to record his 38th save in 41 opportunities.
Matt Strahm (9-5) suffered the defeat.
David Bednar worked around a leadoff walk in the ninth for his 38th save in 41 chances.
Matt Strahm (9-5) took the loss.
NOW ANNOUNCING
Dan Baker, the public address announcer for the Phillies, has stated that he intends to return for a 52nd season with the organization. Baker aspires to break the record for the most seasons working as a PA announcer for one team. He excludes the COVID-19 2020 season, which he had to leave early due to a cancer battle, from his total. Only Pat Piper (1916–1974) of the Chicago Cubs and Bob Sheppard (1951–2007) of the New York Yankees have played in more games than Baker.
NEXT UP
A three-game home series versus the Marlins will mark the Pirates’ last series of the year. For any matchup, neither team has announced a starter.
The Phillies travel to New York for a three-game series as their final preparation for the postseason. RHP Taijuan Walker (15-5, 4.35 ERA) takes the mound for the Phillies. There is no starter for the Mets.