Game 116 - Harper Silences Oracle Park with 2 Homers

Phillies 9, Giants 6
Game 116 - Late Friday Night, August 9th in San Francisco
Record - 60-56, Tied for 3rd place, 8 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Bryce Harper hit a pair of home runs in this 9-6 win, silencing the Giants and their fans at Oracle Park.

What It Means:  Of the three games we saw in San Francisco, this was the only Phillies win.

What Happened:  Harper's first home run gave the Phillies a 5-3 lead and his second home run, which landed in McCovey Cove, gave them an 8-6 lead.  Harper silenced the crowd as he crossed home plate following his second blast.  Corey Dickerson had three hits, including a bases clearing triple in the third.

Starter Drew Smyly pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing six runs (four earned) before handing the game over to the bullpen.  Hector Neris pitched a scoreless ninth for his 20th save.

Featured Card/Field Report:  We took the Oracle Park ballpark tour on Friday morning, enjoying our views from the Phillies dugout and briefly meeting with former Giants Mike Felder and Bill Laskey.  After the tour, we walked around Fisherman's Wharf for a while, stopping by Pier 39 to meet the sea lions.  We then took the Big Bus tour around the city, with the highlight being our trip over the Golden Gate Bridge.

Doug stationed himself by the Phillies bullpen (which is in foul territory in right field) before each of our three games, but he didn't get any autographs.  We enjoyed this game, more garlic fries and Harper's performance, from Section 101.


Transactions:  Jay Bruce re-injured himself (left flexor strain) in Thursday night's game, and fortunately Adam Haseley stuck around San Francisco.  Bruce landed back on the injured list and Haseley was recalled.