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One big swing.
That's what the United States had been looking for all night during the 2026 World Baseball Classic final against Venezuela in Miami.
And it came from Bryce Harper.
With Team USA trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the eighth Tuesday night, the Philadelphia Phillies' star slugger blasted a two-run homer off Andres Machado to tie the game at 2-2 in a dramatic turn of events.
And Harper is no stranger to dramatic moments.
While his WBC homer was indeed clutch, his most memorable home run might be the biggest in Phillies' history.
Trailing the San Diego Padres 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth of Game 5 of the NLCS, Harper stepped to the plate with fans at Citizens Bank Park ready for something big.
After working the count to 2-2, Harper drove the seventh pitch of the at-bat just over the fence in left and "bedlam at the bank" ensued as 45,485 Phillies faithful went nuts as Philly took a 4-3 lead.
It was the Phillies' first pennant-clinching home run since Dick Sisler's game-winning home run against the Dodgers in Brooklyn on Oct. 1, 1950.
Harper was overdue for a big hit since struggling at the plate during the tournament.
Before Tuesday's final, Harper was hitting just .167 in 24 at bats with only 4 runs and an RBI.
He broke out in a big way against Venezuela, going 2 for 4 with the big two-run homer.
Here is how team USA has reached the final in the 2026 World Baseball Classic:
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Bryce Harper dramatic HR ties WBC final between USA and Venezuela
Continue reading...
That's what the United States had been looking for all night during the 2026 World Baseball Classic final against Venezuela in Miami.
And it came from Bryce Harper.
With Team USA trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the eighth Tuesday night, the Philadelphia Phillies' star slugger blasted a two-run homer off Andres Machado to tie the game at 2-2 in a dramatic turn of events.
And Harper is no stranger to dramatic moments.
While his WBC homer was indeed clutch, his most memorable home run might be the biggest in Phillies' history.
Trailing the San Diego Padres 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth of Game 5 of the NLCS, Harper stepped to the plate with fans at Citizens Bank Park ready for something big.
After working the count to 2-2, Harper drove the seventh pitch of the at-bat just over the fence in left and "bedlam at the bank" ensued as 45,485 Phillies faithful went nuts as Philly took a 4-3 lead.
It was the Phillies' first pennant-clinching home run since Dick Sisler's game-winning home run against the Dodgers in Brooklyn on Oct. 1, 1950.
Bryce Harper stats
Harper was overdue for a big hit since struggling at the plate during the tournament.
Before Tuesday's final, Harper was hitting just .167 in 24 at bats with only 4 runs and an RBI.
He broke out in a big way against Venezuela, going 2 for 4 with the big two-run homer.
Team USA World Baseball Classic 2026 results
Here is how team USA has reached the final in the 2026 World Baseball Classic:
- Pool B: USA 15, Brazil 5
- Pool B: USA 9, Great Britain 1
- Pool B: USA 5, Mexico 3
- Pool B: Italy 8, USA 6
- Quarterfinals: USA 5, Canada 3
- Semifinals: USA 2, Dominican Republic 1
- Final: USA vs. Venezuela/Italy, Tuesday, March 17
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Bryce Harper dramatic HR ties WBC final between USA and Venezuela
Continue reading...
