Video: Phillies, Giants Benches Clear After Bryce Harper Nearly Gets HBP in Face
Featured Columnist IVMay 29, 2024
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
Benches cleared during Wednesday’s matchup between the Philadelphia Phillies and San Francisco Giants after Kyle Harrison nearly hit Bryce Harper on back-to-back up-and-in pitches, which the superstar slugger didn’t appreciate.
NBC Sports Philadelphia @NBCSPhilly
Benches clear in The Bay pic.twitter.com/6ycCTGBVng
Corey Seidman @CSeidmanNBCS
Benches and bullpens clear in SF. Kyle Harrison threw up-and-in and nearly hit Bryce Harper, who barked at him. Harrison threw the next pitch to same spot, nearly hitting him again.
Harper has been hit in the face & thumb over the last 3 years so you can understand the reaction.
Harper ultimately grounded out to shortstop, with runners on second and third, to end the top of the fourth inning.
In April 2021, Harper took a 97 mph sinker to the face from St. Louis Cardinals reliever Génesis Cabrera, forcing him to leave the game and undergo a CT scan.
In June 2022, Blake Snell hit him with a 97-mph fastball, fracturing his thumb and costing him two months on the injured list. He was able to return late that season and help the Phillies reach the World Series.
Harper also has a bit of a history with the Giants. Exactly seven years ago, during his time with the Washington Nationals, Harper charged the mound after being struck by San Francisco reliever Hunter Strickland, with the two exchanging punches in a benches-clearing brawl between the teams.
KNBR @KNBR
Bryce Harper vs. the Giants on Memorial Day
What could go wrong? pic.twitter.com/1Dt848y9bY
This year, the 31-year-old slugger is hitting .267 with 13 homers, 41 RBI, 32 runs and a .901 OPS, putting himself in the MVP conversation. He’s been in a bit of a mini-slump of late, with no hits in the three games before Wednesday’s matchup with the Giants.
The Phillies have also hit a rough patch, currently mired in their first three-game losing streak of the season. It’s generally been an amazing start to the year, however, with Philly still owning the best mark in baseball at 38-18.
That has helped the team open a five-game lead over the Atlanta Braves in the NL East. The Braves have won the division six straight times, though the Phillies have eliminated them from the past two postseasons.
