Philadelphia Phillies’ star first baseman Bryce Harper achieves yet another milestone in his illustrious career, and he does it with flair.
Amidst a chilly, damp evening at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Harper breaks out of his 0-for-11 slump at the start of the 2024 season by launching a pair of solo home runs off Cincinnati Reds’ pitcher Graham Ashcraft. This feat not only ends Harper’s drought but also marks his 1,000th run scored as a two-time NL MVP.
The first home run, a mighty 420-foot blast to center field in the opening inning, elevates Harper to 999 runs scored in his 13th MLB season, securing a 1-0 lead for the Phillies. With an impressive exit velocity of 107.7 mph, Statcast notes that this homer would have cleared the fences in 27 out of 30 MLB parks.
Harper’s second long ball occurs in the bottom of the fourth inning, as he leads off with a powerful 103.3 mph shot, spanning 367 feet over the right field wall. Crossing home plate after this hit officially cements his 1,000th career run scored.
This milestone firmly places Harper among an elite group of active players who have amassed at least 1,000 runs scored, showcasing his enduring impact on the game.