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Phillies star issues reminder after breaking out of slump
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Phillies' Bryce Harper issues reminder after breaking out of slump vs. Giants

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper must have grown tired of fans and media members saying he was in a slump. 

Harper went 4-for-6 at the plate with one home run and one RBI in Wednesday's road game against the San Francisco Giants. He used the outstanding performance to issue a reminder.

"I'm really good. I mean, I really," Harper said after the 13-0 win, via Steve Kroner of the Associated Press. "I don't want to put that out there and everybody go, 'What's he talking about?' But I know when I'm going well, I'm one of the best in baseball. I'm healthy. I'm strong. I feel great." 

Harper, 32, missed 22 games because of a right wrist injury and had struggled since returning on June 30. In his first 22 at-bats in July, he slashed .182/.308/.182. 

Harper explained he was getting behind in the count far too often. 

"I hate talking about individual (achievements) and all that kind of stuff," Harper said. "But if I get into good counts and don't swing at crap away or in or anything else, then I'll be right where I need to be."

Harper continuing to use good plate discipline should help the Phillies pull away in a tight National League East race with the New York Mets. 

The Phillies (54-39) now lead the Mets (53-39) by half a game after New York's road game against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday was postponed because of rain. 

Harper didn't make the 2025 All-Star Game. But remember, he didn't make the All-Star Game in 2021, either, and still won National League MVP after catching fire in the second half of the season.

Perhaps Wednesday's performance indicates he has another second-half surge in store. 

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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