With the team trailing 3-2 in Game 5 of the NLCS, Bryce Harper hit a clutch, go-ahead home run for the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Philadelphia Phillies were one win away from winning the NL pennant, and they were looking to do so at Citizens Bank Park in front of their fans. The San Diego Padres, however, were not going down easily, taking a 3-2 lead into the eighth inning.
With J.T. Realmuto on base after a single, star outfielder Bryce Harper stepped into the batter’s box to face Padres pitcher Robert Suarez. On the seventh pitch of the at-bat, Harper hit a monstrous two-run homer to left center field to give the Phillies a late 4-3 lead in Game 5.
BRYCE HARPER ARE YOU SERIOUS?! #Postseason pic.twitter.com/NKRTeNLJMl
— MLB (@MLB) October 23, 2022
Watch Bryce Harper hit Phillies into World Series from every angle
Obviously, there was the national broadcast that you saw above. Now let’s check out some other angles of Harper’s clutch homer. First, let’s start with the reaction of fans inside Citizens Bank Park, courtesy of NBC Sports Philadelphia.
BRYCE HARPER IS THE KING OF PHILADELPHIA pic.twitter.com/SsGdJVQJaZ
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) October 23, 2022
Now, take a look at the view from the press box, courtesy of NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Clark.
Bryce Harper gives the Phillies the lead!
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) October 23, 2022
2 run HR 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/LPStZml41X
Phillies fans who decided to catch the Flyers game against the San Jose Sharks at Well Fargo Center were able to watch the home run from the jumbotron. The clip comes courtesy of NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jordan Hall.
Philly fans at Wells Fargo Center watch Bryce Harper’s go-ahead blast. pic.twitter.com/iuVOJufrqI
— Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) October 23, 2022
How about an advanced statistical view? According to the Twitter account “Would it Dong,” Harper’s home run had an exit velocity of 108.9 mph, traveled a projected 382 feet, and would have been a home run in 22-of-30 MLB ballparks.
Bryce Harper vs Robert Suarez#RingTheBell
— Would it dong? (@would_it_dong) October 23, 2022
Home Run (5) 💣
Exit velo: 108.9 mph
Launch angle: 23 deg
Proj. distance: 382 ft
This would have been a home run in 22/30 MLB ballparks
SD (3) @ PHI (4)
🔻 8th pic.twitter.com/TbcDEckuWI
FOX Sports MLB’s Twitter feed filmed the home run from behind home plate.
GO WILD PHILLY!! BRYCE HARPER CANNOT BE STOPPED. pic.twitter.com/ta7iOHb50h
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 23, 2022
And finally, a view of fans and Phillies players celebrating the home run.
The Phillies are now THREE outs away from the pennant. 👀 #Postseason pic.twitter.com/82ECRdiFsc
— MLB (@MLB) October 23, 2022
With this home run, Harper has sent the Phillies to the World Series for the first time since 2009. They now await the winner of the Houston Astros-New York Yankees American League Championship Series.