5 Best individual Phillies’ performances of 2021
By Bryce Turner
#3 Philadelphia Phillies individual performance: Bryce Harper 5-hit game
Unsurprisingly, Bryce Harper’s MVP-winning season featured multiple games where he fell just a triple shy of hitting for the cycle. But it was a July 6 game at the Chicago Cubs that stood out.
Harper helped get the action going early against a former teammate when he singled off Jake Arrieta in the first inning. That loaded the bases for Andrew McCutchen, who hit a grand slam. Harper singled against Arrieta for the second time in the second inning to load the bases once again.
The right-fielder faced Trevor Williams in the fourth inning, with runners on first and second base and nobody out. He hit a ground-rule double on the second pitch to drive in Jean Segura. His lone out came against Williams in the sixth inning, with a groundout to second base.
Harper returned to the plate in the seventh inning, with the Phillies leading 12-4. With two runners on base and a new pitcher in the game, Harper hit a home run to right field on the first pitch from Dan Winkler. The home run also gave him a chance at the cycle, with his one opportunity coming in the ninth inning, where he had to settle for a single against Brad Wieck.
Bryce Harper stat line: 5-6, 1 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI