Bryce Harper homers as Phillies outslug Braves, 8-6

Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, center, cannot catch a run-scoring single by the Philadelphia Phillies' Maikel Franco as second baseman Ozzie Albies, left, and center fielder Ender Inciarte, right, look on during the eighth inning of Saturday's game in Philadelphia. The Phillies won 8-6. Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, center, cannot catch a run-scoring single by the Philadelphia Phillies' Maikel Franco as second baseman Ozzie Albies, left, and center fielder Ender Inciarte, right, look on during the eighth inning of Saturday's game in Philadelphia. The Phillies won 8-6.

By Associated Press March 31, 2019 3 min read

PHILADELPHIA – Hitless in five at-bats to open his anticipated first series with the Philadelphia Phillies, Bryce Harper grabbed teammate Nick Williams’ bat looking for a spark.

One big swing of the borrowed lumber later, Harper was on the top step of the dugout, roaring back at the fans chanting “MVP! MVP!” for their $330 million man.

Harper homered deep into the second deck in right-center field for his first hit with Philadelphia and celebrated with an emphatic curtain call, highlighting the Phillies’ 8-6 win over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday.

Harper, swinging Williams’ stick after a slow start to the season, crushed Jesse Biddle’s fastball 465 feet with two outs in the seventh inning. Fans gave Harper a standing ovation, hollering and clapping in a fashion rare for March baseball.

After getting high-fives in the dugout, Harper climbed out, throwing both fists in the air and shouting “Let’s go!”