Bryce Harper’s sixth-inning blast backed Aaron Nola’s six scoreless frames, powering Philadelphia to a narrow series-clinching victory as the Phillies' surge continues following their recent managerial shakeup.
MIAMI — In a pitchers' duel with the narrowest of margins, one swing made the difference.
Bryce Harper hit a solo home run to back up Aaron Nola’s gem and secure the series win for the Philadelphia Phillies with a 1-0 victory over the Miami Marlins on Monday.
“Especially with the way Nola was throwing today, we knew we could possibly win 1-0 right there,” Harper said after the game.
It was his seventh home run of the season. Harper went 3-for-4 with a double and a dinger to lead the Phillies at the plate. Adolis Garcia also went 2-for-4 for the Phillies (15-20), who have gone 6-1 since making a managerial change.
Harper, who is batting .271 with a .881 OPS, recently became the 27th player in MLB history to hit his 800th career extra base hit before his 34th birthday on April 24.
“I need to get better,” Harper said. “I feel great up there. Just can’t miss, can’t keep chasing.”
Nola threw six scoreless innings with only five hits allowed and five strikeouts. Harper’s homer was the only run support he needed.
“He’s been a very good pitcher in this league for a long time,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said after the game. “And tonight, I think he mixed things well.”
Jakob Marsee and Kyle Stowers each went 2-for-4 to lead the Marlins (16-19) at the plate. All of the Marlins’ seven hits were singles.
“Some of those Marlins guys are swinging the bat well right now,” Harper said.
Marlins right-handed pitcher Janson Junk went 5.1 innings with, six strikeouts, five hits allowed, and Harper’s blast representing the lone blemish. Junk (2.82 ERA) has given up one earned run in the last three starts.
“They have the ability to bleed at-bats, and I felt Janson overall was really terrific,” McCullough said. “Outside of that sweeper to Bryce that probably didn’t catch well and just kind of stayed more middle of the plate that he was able to put a swing on. To go out there and to get us to where he got there and one run, you should win that game.”
Joe Mack made his Major League debut at catcher on Monday. He went 0-for-3 with the bat but defensively, as McCullough said, the rookie was “very confident and smooth at the plate.”
“I thought he framed very well,” McCullough said. “I thought behind the plate he seemed very calm and did a nice job.”
The Marlins will start their three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles with their ace, Sandy Alcantara (3-2, 3.04 ERA, 31 SO) on the mound against veteran Chris Bassitt (2-2, 5.46 ERA, 17 SO) on Tuesday.
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