Bryce Harper powers Phillies past Marlins
“Harp felt like he got to the big leagues a little bit earlier than he would have with some other manager. [He] said he was one of the funniest guys he’s ever been around. He really loved him,” Thomson added.
Johnson took an 11-year hiatus from managing before taking over the Nationals in 2011. Harper debuted the following season as a 19-year-old phenom. He won Rookie of the Year in 2012 and made the All-Star Game each season under Johnson.
Harper paid tribute to Johnson with a 401-foot bomb to center off Sandy Alcantara in the first inning of Saturday’s game. The two-run homer was Harper’s 24th of the season and gave the Phillies an early 2-0 lead.
Bryce Harper’s 24th homer of the year pic.twitter.com/TbnDifyR42
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Former Marlins starter Jesus Luzardo delivered a quality start for Philadelphia, out-dueling Alcantara. Luzardo allowed two runs on five hits and four walks with eight strikeouts in six innings. He improved to 13-6 in his debut season with the Phillies.
Philadelphia has now won three straight games and seven of the last nine. The Phillies entered with a six-game lead over the Mets in the NL East. Harper has World Series aspirations this season. And the team appears to be heating up for a playoff push.
