Bryce Harper hits for the cycle as Phillies crush the Mets 15–3
The Philadelphia star became the first player in nearly a decade to complete a cycle in just five innings.
Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper hit for the cycle on Saturday, June 20, helping his team beat the New York Mets 15–3 at Citizens Bank Park. Hitting for the cycle means a batter gets a single, a double, a triple, and a home run all in the same game. It is one of the rarest things a player can do in baseball, and Harper did it in just five innings.
Harper wasted no time getting started. He hit a solo home run in the first inning to put the Phillies on the board. Then, in the third inning — when Philadelphia scored eight runs — he added a double and a single. He only needed one more hit to complete the cycle.
That final hit came in the fifth inning. With two outs and a 2–1 count, Mets pitcher Tobias Myers threw a pitch right over the plate, and Harper smacked it to left center. The ball sailed perfectly between two outfielders, allowing Harper to race around the bases. He slid into third base, punched his fist in the air, and high-fived coach Anthony Contreras to celebrate his two-RBI triple.
According to ESPN, Harper is the first player to hit for the cycle in just five innings since 2015. The MLB also noted that this was the 11th cycle in Phillies franchise history. It was a historic night for Harper, who is already a two-time Most Valuable Player in Major League Baseball.
Teammate Kyle Schwarber also had a huge game, hitting three home runs. The FOX broadcast noted that the last time two teammates each accomplished those feats in the same game was in 1932, when Tony Lazzeri and Lou Gehrig did it for the New York Yankees. That means this kind of performance had not been seen in over 90 years.
Schwarber praised his team after the win, saying they put together great at-bats all night and called it a 'great overall team win.' Harper returned the compliment, saying there is 'no greater power hitter in our game right now' than Schwarber. Both players were proud of what the team accomplished together.
The Phillies are in second place in the NL East with a 41–35 record at the midway point of the season. It has been a bumpy year — the team fired manager Rob Thomson in April after starting 9–19. The Mets are at the bottom of the division with a 34–42 record and have struggled all season long.
"Being able to get that tonight was really cool."
Comprehension quiz preview
1. What did Bryce Harper hit in the first inning?
2. How many home runs did Kyle Schwarber hit during the game?
3. According to the article, what is the 11th cycle in Phillies franchise history?