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Bryce Harper stood on the field of Citizens Bank Park well before first pitch as he got in early batting practice, something that is rare for the veteran slugger. However, it’s been a rough stretch for both Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies lineup over the last few weeks.
That extra work in the cages clearly paid off for Harper, because not only did he contribute in a big way in the Phillies' blowout victory over the New York Mets, but he also accomplished a career-first in the process.
For the first time since Harper debuted back in 2012, he hit for the cycle in a big-league game.
In Harper’s first at-bat, he smoked a ball well over the right field off Freddy Peralta.
Home run; check.
The Phillies star wasted no time in his second at-bat and swung at the first pitch he saw, which rolled into right field.
Double; check.
In Harper’s second at-bat of the third inning, when the Phillies scored 15 runs and batted around, he hit a ground ball through the infield and stopped on first base for his third hit of the game.
Single; check.
Jun 20, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies infielder Bryce Harper (3) reacts after hitting an RBI triple against the New York Mets in the fifth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Now, all Harper needed was a triple to secure the cycle. It’s a feat that’s much easier said than done. However, if a ball is placed in the right spot at the Phillies home ballpark, it's more than possible for a runner to reach third on a hit.
Harper hit a ball in the gap between center and left field, which didn’t bounce off the wall as outfielder Carson Benge was expecting. This allowed Harper to break for third after hitting second base, as he safely ran in to third base.
Triple; check.
Harper put both fists in the air, fully knowing what he had accomplished, while the Philly faithful cheered him on.
Oh, and all of this was done before the fifth inning was over, allowing Harper to go on to have a 4-for-5 night.
Harper is the 11th player in the Phillies franchise history to hit for the cycle. The last time it happened was by Weston Wilson on August 15, 2024. He's also the seventh player in the expansion era (1961) with a cycle within the first five innings.
Harper came into this game in a little bit of a rough patch at the plate, with one hit in his last 22 at-bats.
Sometimes, all it takes is one game to get back on track, and a cycle could do just that for Harper.
Phillies Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Phillies. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.
Continue reading...
That extra work in the cages clearly paid off for Harper, because not only did he contribute in a big way in the Phillies' blowout victory over the New York Mets, but he also accomplished a career-first in the process.
For the first time since Harper debuted back in 2012, he hit for the cycle in a big-league game.
In Harper’s first at-bat, he smoked a ball well over the right field off Freddy Peralta.
Home run; check.
The Phillies star wasted no time in his second at-bat and swung at the first pitch he saw, which rolled into right field.
Double; check.
In Harper’s second at-bat of the third inning, when the Phillies scored 15 runs and batted around, he hit a ground ball through the infield and stopped on first base for his third hit of the game.
Single; check.
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Jun 20, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies infielder Bryce Harper (3) reacts after hitting an RBI triple against the New York Mets in the fifth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Now, all Harper needed was a triple to secure the cycle. It’s a feat that’s much easier said than done. However, if a ball is placed in the right spot at the Phillies home ballpark, it's more than possible for a runner to reach third on a hit.
Harper hit a ball in the gap between center and left field, which didn’t bounce off the wall as outfielder Carson Benge was expecting. This allowed Harper to break for third after hitting second base, as he safely ran in to third base.
Triple; check.
Harper put both fists in the air, fully knowing what he had accomplished, while the Philly faithful cheered him on.
Oh, and all of this was done before the fifth inning was over, allowing Harper to go on to have a 4-for-5 night.
Harper is the 11th player in the Phillies franchise history to hit for the cycle. The last time it happened was by Weston Wilson on August 15, 2024. He's also the seventh player in the expansion era (1961) with a cycle within the first five innings.
Harper came into this game in a little bit of a rough patch at the plate, with one hit in his last 22 at-bats.
Sometimes, all it takes is one game to get back on track, and a cycle could do just that for Harper.
Phillies Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Phillies. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.
Continue reading...
