Bryce Harper hit his fourth home run in just his 10th game as a Phillie on Tuesday night, a three-run shot to right-center field.
The man CRUSHES baseballs --pic.twitter.com/UQgp8hhslv
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) April 10, 2019
Harper is now hitting .333/.511/.788 with four dingers, three doubles, 8 RBI and 12 walks already. Despite blowing a lead late in last night's game to the Nationals, the Phillies are an impressive 7-3.
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Gabe Kapler, who joins the 94WIP Morning Show every Wednesday at 9am, says he has a greater appreciation for Harper watching him day in and day out.
"All of us have a greater appreciation seeing it every day and it's happening in a Phillies uniform," Kapler said of Harper. "I'm certain that Bryce Harper has played this hard, has been this heads up, has been this good of a teammate and leader and obviously we know about the offensive performance historically. I'm sure all of this was happening, but it's kind of nice to see it happening in a Phillies uniform at CBP in the biggest moments.
"And I definitely, I personally, have a greater appreciation for all of the different aspects Bryce Harper brings to the table, probably the most notably the leadership and the character. He's just a good human being. He really cares a lot about his teammates, desperately wants to win, ultra competitive. And all of those things lead to one of the best players in baseball."
The Phillies' biggest weakness seems to be their late-inning pitching, specifically a closer. Edubray Ramos gave up a two-strike, two-out 9th inning game-tying home run on Tuesday night. New relief pitcher David Robertson has also struggled early on. Kapler admitted he'd like someone to step up and take the closer role.
"I'd always love to see somebody emerge as a no-brainer option to close out baseball games," Kapler said.
