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Harper hits slam as Phillies rally to beat Cubs 7-5
Friday, August 16, 2019

(PHILADELPHIA) – Bryce Harper knows everyone in the dugout and ballpark expects him to get clutch hits in moments just like this. Harper blasted a grand slam with one out in the ninth inning, capping a six-run rally that sent the Philadelphia Phillies over the Chicago Cubs 7-5 Thursday night for a three-game sweep. Harper delivered his biggest hit yet in his first season after signing a $330 million, 13 year contract with the Phillies, celebrating while running around the bases and then getting mobbed by teammates at the plate. Cubs starter Yu Darvish struck out 10, silencing Philadelphia's bats for seven innings a night after the Phillies scored 11 runs in former manager Charlie Manuel's debut as hitting coach. But the Phillies rallied against Chicago's bullpen and moved within one game of the Cubs for the second wild-card spot in the National League. Pinch hitter Brad Miller chased Rowan Wick with an RBI single in the ninth that cut it to 5-2, and Roman Quinn greeted Pedro Strop with an RBI single to make it a two-run game. Strop (2-5) hit Rhys Hoskings to load the bases with one out. Derek Holland entered to face Harper and got ahead 0-2 in the count. Harper fouled off a 2-2 pitch before launching his 25th homer way out to right. Ranger Suarez (4-1) tossed two scoreless innings to earn the win. Anthony Rizzo, batting leadoff after the original lineup had him in his usual cleanup spot, gave the Cubs a 1-0 lead in the third when he hit his 22nd homer. David Bote and Albert Almora Jr. each drove in a run and Kyle Schwarber slammed his 100th career homer and team-high 28th this season into the bushes in center field to put the Cubs ahead 5-0 in the fifth.

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