PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Trivia time! Who was the last player on the Philadelphia Phillies with a three-home run game?
It's a trick question, because the answer changed just Thursday night.
That answer, of course, is Brad Miller — in his first appearance in the starting lineup since the end of June, no less. He hadn't hit a single home run since early June. He hadn't had a multi-home run game since September 2020. And he hadn't had a three-home run game since ... well, ever.
That all changed on Thursday night, as the Phillies continued their offensive surge. Miller ripped a liner to opposite field for the first before crushing a no-doubter for number two. And if the second one was a no-doubter ... I don't know if there's a word or phrase that fits the third better than John Kruk's exclamation: "Oh my god!"
Here they are, in sequential order (via MLB Film Room).
The 31-year-old Miller, who has spent most of his career in the American League, indicated this was the first time he had played in Wrigley Field with fans in attendance. Last season, when he was on the Cardinals, no fans were allowed in the ballparks.
The Orlando native shared that he had visited the historic ballpark with his family as a kid, so it was fitting that his folks were in attendance.
"It was really special," Miller said of his three-home run experience. "First time this series playing at Wrigley with fans, a place I came growing up, my parents here, getting the start here to be able to [win] three out of four [in the series], when obviously we need everyone. A lot of cool things. But, yeah, I felt like I was dreaming, for sure. That was awesome."
Starting first baseman Rhys Hoskins and regular left fielder Andrew McCutchen were out of the lineup in a very important game, and manager Joe Girardi was asked why. Both players, both right-handed batters, have been playing extremely well.
Girardi explained it was for matchup purposes. Miller, a utility bench player, and outfielder Travis Jankowski are left-handed hitters — and Cubs starting pitcher Adbert Alzolay has much better numbers against righties than lefties. Girardi's analysis was spot on.
"You learn to make the best decisions with the information you have at the time, and you gotta live with them," the manager said.
Miller's first two home runs happened in the third and fifth innings, both off of Alzolay. In the seventh, he countered right-handed reliever Cory Abbott.
Miller was asked if he was thinking about a third home run, when stepping up to the plate, after he had the first two in his back pocket
"I'm always going up there to hit a home run," Miller said. "I mean, seriously, I think I need to take that mindset in there, right. Like, do damage. Like, get a pitch that I can drive. I'm looking to impact the baseball."
He said there was a level of confidence that came with having two hits.
"I think you really just kinda are floating," he said. "I went up there and just kinda reacted — and before you know, it you're kinda rounding the bases and pointing at the boys and celebrating."
Miller said it was cool to see his parents going crazy after his third homer, calling himself lucky.
Back to that trivia question — before Miller, who was the last Phillie with a three-home run game?
That was Jayson Werth, playing against the Blue Jays in front of a roaring crowd on May 16, 2008.
The five other Phillies who have done it most recently:
• Ryan Howard (Sept. 3, 2006)
• Mike Lieberthal (Aug. 10, 2002)
• Bobby Estalella (Sept. 4, 1997)
• Benito Santiago (Sept. 15, 1996)
• Von Hayes (Aug. 29, 1989)
And for extra credit: The only players with more than one game of three or more home runs are Mike Schmidt (he did it three times) and Johnny Callison (he did it twice).
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
