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Bryce Harper Voices Issue With Umpire After Phillies-Giants

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rex Villas | Last updated Jul 8, 2025 7:31 AM ET

The Philadelphia Phillies failed to sustain their momentum following two consecutive wins over the Cincinnati Reds in a previous series, as they fell prey to the San Francisco Giants on Monday, 3-1.

It was a tight battle for most of the contest, with the Giants taking the lead only in the eighth inning. The Phillies could have done more on offense had they got more favorable calls from home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi, who was a subject of Bryce Harper's criticism following the game.

"I feel like anytime I complain it's pretty obvious," Harper said about the calls he believes Cuzzi missed (h/t Bob Cooney of NBC Sports Philadelphia). "He knows he missed them. Sometimes that happens. Umpire took over the game. I couldn't say much more, I didn't want to. I barely said anything to him when I walked off the first time on the strike three that was up. I respect Phil, I like Phil a lot. But obviously that doesn't help us in that situation. He's got to do better."

Harper finished the game 1-for-3 with a walk, a strikeout and zero runs scored. He struck out looking in the fifth inning with a runner on base on a pitch that appeared to go above the strike zone, thus wasting a golden opportunity for the Phillies to break a 1-1 tie. There were also two dubious strike calls on Harper in the eighth inning before he grounded out.

The Phillies’ loss also wasted a sterling performance on the mound by starter Cristopher Sanchez, who pitched seven innings of one-run ball, while striking out eight Giants hitters through 105 pitches.

Despite the loss, Philadelphia remains atop the National League East standings with a 53-38 record with five more games on its schedule before the MLB All-Star break.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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