By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
For the first time this season, the Philadelphia Phillies have swept an opponent with a winning percentage greater than .500.
Down 5-0 heading into the bottom of the eighth, and 5-1 heading into the bottom of the ninth, a comeback against the Chicago Cubs in Thursday’s series finale seemed surely improbable.
But it wasn’t.
RBI singles by Corey Dickerson, Brad Miller and Roman Quinn over the two frames all preceded perhaps Bryce Harper‘s best play thus far of his career: a walkoff grand slam. Down in the count 0-2, fouling two sinkers off, Harper evened the count to 2-2 before launching the game-winning and series-sweep-clinching blast.
BRYCE-GRAND-FREAKIN’-SLAMMIN-HARPER. pic.twitter.com/qFFcqtoYV3
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) August 16, 2019
“That was sick, WOW. … I don’t even know what to say right now,” Harper told NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Gregg Murphy after the game. “That was one of the coolest moments that ever happened in my life.”
Thanks to their sweep of the Cubs, the Phillies are now tied with the Milwaukee Brewers and sit just one game out of the second National League Wild Card spot.
Game Notes:
- Harper now has two walkoff hits with the Phillies, and 10 in his career; his grand slam was hit 113.0 miles per hour and traveled 413 feet.
- The Phillies are now 55-16 when they score at least four runs.
- Harper hit the first Phillies walk-off grand slam since John Mayberry Jr. on June 4, 2013; he’s the first to Phillie to hit one while trailing since Ozzie Virgil on Sept. 2, 1983.
Most recent #Phillies walk-off grand slams:
Aug. 15, 2019 – Bryce Harper
June 4, 2013 – John Mayberry Jr.
Aug. 13, 1993 – Kim Batiste
Aug. 6, 1991 – Dale Murphy
Sept. 17, 1989 – John Kruk
Sept. 2, 1983 – Ozzie Virgil
April 13, 1983 – Bo Diaz
June 3, 1978 – Davey Johnson— Ryan M. Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder) August 16, 2019
- The Phillies are now 3-0 since Charlie Manuel was named hitting coach.
Entering tonight, the @Phillies had lost 316 consecutive games where they trailed by at least 4 runs entering the 9th inning.
Harper has 6 career walk-off HR. That is the 2nd-most since he debuted in 2012. Only Josh Donaldson has more with 7. pic.twitter.com/iWwNEMCELh
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 16, 2019
Video of Citizens Bank Park crowd going wild after Bryce Harper hits walk-off grand slam in 9th to give #Phillies a 7-5 win over #Cubs. pic.twitter.com/dRNaWKJUVt
— Keung Hui (@nckhui) August 16, 2019
The win probability graph from tonight’s Cubs at Phillies game is a pretty fun look…
(unless you’re a Cubs fan, I suppose) pic.twitter.com/D7H95x9gzs
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) August 16, 2019
What’s Next:
- Friday, August 16, 2019: vs. San Diego Padres, 7:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
- RHP Chris Paddack (7-5, 3.26 ERA) vs. RHP Vince Velasquez (4-7, 4.30 ERA)
- TV: NBC 10; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
