Bryce Harper smashed a three-run home run during Philadelphia’s big ninth inning, helping the Phillies come from behind to beat the Colorado Rockies 8-4 on Saturday night. It was their seventh win in eight games.
The Phillies were trailing 3-2 in the ninth when they made their comeback, ending the Rockies’ five-game winning streak at home. The rally started with Brandon Marsh drawing a walk against Jalen Beeks. Justin Lawrence came in to pitch but was immediately met with Edmundo Sosa’s RBI triple. Garrett Stubbs then singled to bring in another run, putting the Phillies ahead 4-3.
“It was pretty cool to be able to just come up in an opportunity like that and take advantage of it,” Stubbs said. “And then watch everybody else just kind of pile it on.”
Although Kody Clemens hit into a double play, Kyle Schwarber doubled and Bryson Stott walked, setting the stage for Harper.
Despite being ejected in the first inning of Friday’s game, Harper made a powerful comeback, hitting a home run over the left field fence, his 13th of the season.
“He’s a superstar and that’s what they do,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson commented on Harper’s performance.
Nick Castellanos’ RBI single added to Philadelphia’s run tally. José Ruiz earned the win with a scoreless inning in relief. Although the Rockies received a solid performance from Dakota Hudson, who pitched six innings and allowed only two runs, Lawrence expressed frustration for not being able to close out the game for his team.
“Just frustration,” Lawrence said. “You just want to finish it off and I feel like it’s a couple of times now that spoiled some really, really good starts by our guys.”
Charlie Blackmon contributed with a two-out RBI double in the ninth inning, marking his 600th extra-base hit of his career, the second most in Rockies franchise history. Brenton Doyle had two hits and stole three bases, setting a career-high.
