PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bryce Harper delivered a game-winning RBI single in the 10th inning off Houston’s closer Josh Hader, leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a 3-2 victory over the Astros in a clash of division leaders on Monday night.
Brandon Marsh homered for the Phillies, who secured their third consecutive win. Philadelphia is currently atop the NL East, holding a six-game lead over Atlanta, while Houston leads the AL West by 4.5 games over Seattle.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson praised his team’s resilience, saying, “I thought we fought and kept after it.”
With runners on first and second and no outs, Harper hit a 96 mph sinker from Hader (6-7) to right field, scoring automatic runner Kyle Schwarber. Hader had struck out the side in the ninth, including Schwarber. Harper expressed his satisfaction, saying, “Happy it got through and happy to win the game.”
Matt Strahm (6-2) pitched a scoreless 10th inning for the Phillies, with a key assist from center fielder Johan Rojas, who made a diving catch to prevent Yainer Diaz from driving in the automatic runner.
“He got a pretty good jump, and he closes on it as good as anybody,” Thomson said. “A lot of guys don’t make that catch.”
Philadelphia scored 22 runs in two games over the weekend at Kansas City, but the Astros limited them to Marsh’s fifth-inning homer and Nick Castellanos’ sixth-inning RBI single before Harper’s clutch hit in extra innings.
Phillies players celebrated Harper’s walk-off single as they began a seven-game homestand against the Astros and Braves.
“Big at-bats by everybody and the bullpen did their job,” Harper said.
Houston took a brief lead with a two-run single from Shay Whitcomb in the fourth inning off Zack Wheeler.
“Just one hit away, but our at-bats were really good,” said Houston manager Joe Espada.
Wheeler gave up six hits over six innings, striking out six and walking two. Blanco pitched 5 2/3 innings for Houston, allowing two runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and two walks.
In injury news, the Phillies placed left-handed reliever José Alvarado on the restricted list for personal reasons. Alvarado, with a 4.30 ERA in 56 appearances this season, has converted 13 of 16 save opportunities. Philadelphia recalled right-hander Michael Mercado from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.