Apr 2, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3) is interviewed after his three home run game against the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
On Pattison's countdown of the 15 best Phillies games of 2024 continues with a Bryce Harper classic.
15) April 16, 2024 - Ranger Suarez throws a complete game shutout
14) September 14, 2024 - The Cal Stevenson game
13) May 18, 2024 - Kody Clemens ninth-inning home run
12) July 9, 2024 - Phillies clobber Dodgers, 10-1, in first game of series sweep
11) June 18, 2024 - Nick Castellanos walk-off double against Padres
10) June 24, 2024 - Phillies turn 1-3-5 triple play
9) April 30, 2024 - Castellanos and Rojas hit ninth-inning bombs against Angels
8) June 3, 2024 - Rhys Hoskins returns to Philly as a Brewer
7) October 6, 2024 - Nick Castellanos NLDS walk-off single
6) September 3, 2024 - Kyle Schwarber hits three home runs in wild comeback win over Toronto
5) April 2, 2024 - Bryce Harper hits three home runs in early-season win over Reds
The Phillies lost three of four games at home to start the 2024 season. At the beginning of the day on April 2, Bryce Harper was hitless in 11 at-bats on the year. And unknown quantity Spencer Turnbull was scheduled to make his Phillies debut in game 5 of 162.
Phillies fans weren't quite in a panic, but they were certainly starting to grumble.
Rain rain stay away 🤞#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/IvgWTiZO64
A small fraction of the 28,119 officially in attendance showed up at a very cold, very rainy Citizens Bank Bark for the game that night. But Harper quickly rewarded those who braved the elements with a first-inning home run.
💣 BRYCE BOMB 💣 pic.twitter.com/KjfF1JrnSz
The Reds tied the game at one with an unearned run in the third. But in the fourth, Harper struck again.
Everything he hits is a homer 🫡#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/ZLhqrJHFEi
Turnbull, meanwhile, was stellar on the mound: 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 83 pitches (56 strikes).
Kinda nuts that last night Phillies SP Spencer Turnbull recorded his 1st appearance without allowing an earned run since May 18th 2021. That was the start he threw a no-hitter vs the Mariners
A little Philly magic to help revive Turnbull??
“He attacked the zone. Strikes, for the most part, all night,” said Phillies manager Rob Thomson when asked about Turnbull. “Really a great debut.”
I could really get used to watching Spencer Turnbull every 5 days instead of Taijuan Walker.#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/UwWzFDaXei
But if there was any doubt that "The Showman" was the star of the night, he put it to rest by hitting a grand slam to cap off his hat trick.
HARPER HAT-TRICK CAPPED OFF WITH A GRAND SLAM#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/jjUSIWvTEZ
"It’s just a matter of time for him, he’s a great hitter. I don’t really get concerned with Bryce,” said Thomson.
Another star that evening? 30-year-old righthander Ricardo Pinto, making his first big league appearance since 2019. Pinto woke up Tuesday morning in Rochester, NY, about 350 miles from Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies brought him down by car.
The reliever left around noon and got stuck in traffic, arriving in the fourth inning. He was pitching by the sixth, and threw four strong innings to close out the game.
"That’s a baseball player," said Thomson. "He came in, I think he threw in the tunnel or the cages or something like that, came out, said hello, and went to the bullpen."
Here’s Rob Thomson talking about Ricardo Pinto arriving in the 4th inning 😂 pic.twitter.com/lmlUBTTYRK
Brandon Marsh chipped in as well, going 3/4 with a home run of his own.
BARK#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/2umiOsM37j
But, again: the night belonged to #3. After scuffling through his first few games, Harper's three home runs raised his season OPS to 1.094. He joined some Phillies royalty with the feat.
Bryce Harper with the first 3 HR game for the #Phillies at Citizens Bank Park since Jayson Werth in 2008.
It was also raining at CBP that night.
The Phillies fought their way back to a .500 record a few days later and went 19-9 overall in April. Two games into May they found themselves in first place in the NL East, a spot they would never relinquish.
