Bryce Harper hit a game-winning RBI single in the 10th inning against Houston closer Josh Hader and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Astros 3-2 in a battle of division leaders on Monday night.
Brandon Marsh hit a home run for Philadelphia, which won its third straight game. The Phillies entered the NL East with a six-game lead over Atlanta, while Houston opened the AL West with a 4 1/2 game lead over Seattle.
“I think we fought and persevered,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said.
Shay Whitcomb had two RBIs for Houston, which defeated Philadelphia in the 2022 World Series.
With runners on first and second base and no outs, Harper hit the first pitch from Hader (6-7), a 96 mph sinker, into right field, bringing in automatic runner Kyle Schwarber. Hader struck out all three in the ninth inning and ended the inning by making Schwarber watch with a sinker.
“I’m glad it worked out and I won the game,” Harper said.
Matt Strahm (6-2) managed a scoreless tenth inning for Philadelphia. He got help on the last out from center fielder Johan Rojas, who robbed Yainer Diaz of a base hit that would have brought in the automatic runner.
“He’s got a pretty good jump and he’s getting there as well as anybody,” Thomson said. “A lot of guys don’t make that catch.”
Philadelphia scored 22 runs and won two games in Kansas City over the weekend. But the Astros limited the Phillies to Marsh’s drive to opposite field in the fifth inning against Ronel Blanco and Nick Castellanos’ RBI single in the sixth before Harper came through in extra innings.
Phillies players mobbed Harper after he rounded first base, celebrating a victory to open a seven-game home series against the Astros and Braves.
“Everyone had great opportunities to hit and the bullpen did their job,” Harper said.
Whitcomb gave Houston the lead in the fourth inning with a two-run, two-out single against Zack Wheeler.
“Just one hit away, but our at-bats were really good,” Houston manager Joe Espada said.
Wheeler allowed six hits with six strikeouts and two walks in six innings.
“It’s fun,” Wheeler said. “Two good teams playing against each other.”
Blanco lasted 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and two walks.
TRAINING ROOM
Phillies: Left-handed reliever José Alvarado was placed on the restricted list for personal reasons. The 29-year-old Alvarado has a 4.30 ERA in 56 appearances this season. He has converted 13 of 16 save opportunities. Philadelphia has recalled right-hander Michael Mercado from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Next
Astros RHP Justin Verlander (3-3, 3.92 ERA) faces Phillies RHP Aaron Nola (11-6, 3.45) as the series continues Tuesday night.
