Bryce Harper started the season without a hit. And then Tuesday night happened.
The Phillies superstar hit three home runs in the first seven innings against the Reds, saving his best run until the end with a grand slam.
Harper started 0-for-11, the worst start to a season in the two-time National League MVP’s career.
Additionally, Harper’s most memorable moment during Philadelphia’s 1-4 start was probably when he rolled into the first base dugout and failed to catch a foul ball against the rival Braves on Saturday.
But his big night with the Reds should change that.
Harper’s big day began with a jump, hitting a 420-foot solo home run to center field off Cincinnati starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft.
The slugger got the best of Ashcraft again in the fourth inning, hitting a line drive over the right-field wall for a solo home run.
The outburst marked a milestone for Harper, who hit his 1,000th career RBI.
Harper took the lead in the seventh inning against left-handed reliever Brent Suter, hitting a down-and-in pitch 422 feet from the strike zone to right-center field for his third home run of the night.
This is the second time he has hit three home runs in a game, the first being with the Nationals in 2015.
If it weren’t for that Will Benson’s spectacular diving catch In the sixth inning, Harper likely had 4-for-4 extra-base hits.
However, his three home runs and six RBIs should be enough to break his slump at the start of the season.
