Kyle Schwarber homers, Bryce Harper ejected however Phillies fall to Pirates 3-2

PHILADELPHIA — Kyle Schwarber went deep, Bryce Harper went off on an umpire and was ejected and Trea Turner went from second to house on a stolen base within the Philadelphia Phillies’ 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night time.

Schwarber launched his forty sixth homer, matching final 12 months’s NL-leading complete, with a first-inning drive into the second deck. Turner stole third base within the eighth and got here round to attain on a wild throw by catcher Jason Delay that made it 3-2. Turner grew to become the primary participant to succeed on his first 30 steal makes an attempt in a season since Carl Crawford in 2009.

But the fireworks within the regular-season house finale got here when Harper seemingly held his swing on a full depend towards Luis L. Ortiz within the fourth inning. Harper began to take away his shin guard when third base umpire Ángel Hernández known as out the slugger. Harper grew to become enraged and pointed and shouted at Hernandez as he walked down the baseline.

Harper pointed his finger in Hernández’s face and needed to be separated by supervisor Rob Thomson, then stormed again to the dugout and tossed his helmet over the protecting netting and into the stands.

“I understand you have to live up to a certain big-leaguer mentality,” Harper stated. “You have to act like it, you have to show that, so I understand that. But at the same time, when there’s a call that bad, or something happens, it’s just wrong. For everyone.”

The helmet was recovered by 10-year-old Hayden Dorfman, of Voorhees, New Jersey. The helmet was retrieved by staff personnel and later returned to the kid signed by Harper.

PHOTOS: Kyle Schwarber homers, Bryce Harper ejected however Phillies fall to Pirates 3-2

WHEELS IN MOTION

Zack Wheeler struck out 5 and threw 67 pitches over 4 innings in his ultimate tune-up earlier than he will get the ball Tuesday in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series. The 33-year-old Wheeler has lived as much as his $118 million, five-year contract signed forward of the 2020 season. He’s been a rock atop the rotation and made 30-plus begins for the second straight season. Wheeler was the 2021 NL Cy Young Award runner-up, the primary of his two seasons (together with 2023) he reached 200 strikeouts.

“What a great contract,” Thomson stated forward of the sport. “Really, what he’s given us, all the wins, all the innings he’s logged over that time, all the big games that he’s pitched, he’s been worth every penny.”

BIG CROWD

Wheeler allowed one run on a breezy, chilly night time at Citizens Bank Park when the Phillies drew 34,046 followers to push their ultimate house complete to three,052,605, simply their highest season complete since they final drew 3 million followers in 2013.

The Phillies completed 49-32 at house and have at the very least two extra in Philly subsequent week. They received six straight playoff video games at house final season till they misplaced Game 4 of the World Series. Thomson fondly remembers how an opposing coach advised him taking part in a postseason sport at CBP was “four hours of hell.”

“Three million people came through the gates this year and that tells you a lot about our fanbase,” Thomson stated. “They are extraordinarily passionate. They shall be on hearth Tuesday night time. I’m anticipating 4 hours of hell for the opposite staff.

“Well, now it’s probably going to be three to three-and-a-half with a pitch clock,” Thomson stated.

Thomson additionally is aware of a great day on the ballpark means greater than watching a Schwarbomb or Harper toss a helmet. It’s about feeling like a part of the Phillies group, one motive Thomson stated thanks to staff workers within the hours after the staff clinched the wild card. It’s why Thomson thanked gameday workers at a ballpark appreciation picnic earlier this month.

“I think it takes everybody in this building and everybody in (Florida) to do what we’re doing to reach the playoffs,” Thomson stated. “Part of the deal with our fanbase is that not only do we have a good club, so it’s good to watch, but they have a good time in the ballpark. It’s really due to their hospitality that these people come in here, they have a good time, they watch a good product and they cheer. It’s like a team within the team. I think it’s important to thank everybody.”

PIRATES POWER

Jared Triolo had two RBIs and Jack Suwinski added a run-scoring single for the Pirates. Ortiz (5-5) struck out 4 in 5 innings.

David Bednar labored round a leadoff stroll within the ninth for his thirty eighth save in 41 possibilities.

Matt Strahm (9-5) took the loss and the Phillies snapped a seven-game dropping streak.

NOW ANNOUNCING …

Phillies public deal with announcer Dan Baker says he plans to return subsequent 12 months for his 52nd season with the staff. Baker, who doesn’t depend the COVID-19 2020 season when a most cancers battle pressured him to step away, as a part of his complete, desires to set the document for many years as a PA announcer for one staff. Baker is behind solely the Chicago Cubs’ Pat Piper (1916-1974) and the New York Yankees’ Bob Sheppard (1951-2007).

UP NEXT

The Pirates shut the season with a three-game house sequence towards the Marlins. Neither staff has named a starter for any sport.