Amidst internal chatter within the Phillies organization regarding Bryce Harper becoming a source of amusement in the Braves' clubhouse, his teammates issued a challenge to the star slugger to respond.
According to Harper, "They turned to me and asked, 'What's your move?'"
And respond he did, putting on a spectacular performance that included two home runs, two intense staredowns, and four RBIs, further cementing his legacy as a postseason standout.
In response to Orlando Arcia's taunts, Harper answered with a colossal three-run home run and a solo shot, ensuring to lock eyes with the shortstop during his triumphant rounds around the bases. The result? A resounding 10-2 victory for the Phillies over the Braves in Game 3 of the NL Division Series on Wednesday night.
As for acknowledging the staredowns, Bryce Harper quipped, "Yeah, I mean, I stared right at him."
The combination of Aaron Nola's strong performance, along with the contributions from four relievers, put the 104-win Braves in a precarious situation, one game away from elimination. The Phillies now have a golden opportunity to secure a spot in the NL Championship Series for the second consecutive season with a potential home victory on Thursday.
The Philadelphia team made an impressive recovery from their disheartening loss in Atlanta on Monday night, with Nick Castellanos delivering two home runs. In addition to Castellanos' homers, both Trea Turner and Brandon Marsh also went deep, setting a new franchise postseason record for the Phillies with a remarkable total of six home runs in a single game. This powerful offensive display played a crucial role in their victory.
Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos have earned their place in postseason history, becoming the fourth pair of teammates to each hit multiple home runs in a single game. This exclusive list is led by the legendary duo of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, who achieved this feat in the 1932 World Series.
Kyle Schwarber, another powerful Phillies hitter, emphasized Harper's elite status in the baseball world, noting, "He's one of the best in the world for a reason. When we're in these critical moments, this is when baseball showcases its best, and for Harper, anything is possible."
Harper's ability to turn perceived slights into motivation continues to drive the Phillies. His eighth and ninth postseason home runs over the past two seasons significantly contribute to the team's quest for its first World Series championship since 2008.
Harper's resolve was evident as he sought to make amends for a Game 2 baserunning blunder that led to a dramatic late-game collapse. In that critical moment, Harper had rounded second base on a deep flyout and was doubled up at first, sealing a 5-4 loss after the Phillies had held a 4-0 lead. Game 3 was a chance for redemption.
Arcia's postgame jest in the jubilant Atlanta clubhouse, where he quipped, "ha-ha, attaboy, Harper," quickly reached the two-time NL MVP. This playful banter added an extra layer of intrigue and intensity to the series.
Arcia, speaking through a translator, responded to the on-field staredowns by Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos, explaining that players often express themselves freely in the clubhouse, and the remarks weren't intended for Harper's ears. He emphasized that the clubhouse is a space where candid discussions are held.
In a noticeable show of solidarity and message-sending, Harper and Castellanos arrived at the ballpark wearing attire inspired by Colorado coach Deion Sanders. Harper donned a "Coach Prime" T-shirt, and Castellanos sported a "Prime" hoodie.
Deion Sanders, known for his bold and outspoken demeanor, had previously responded to criticism from a rival coach this season with the words, "they done messed around and made it personal." Harper seemed to take this personally.
On the field, the first response came from Castellanos, who had commented after Game 2 that the Phillies "thrive after we get punched in the face." He backed up those words with a home run in the third inning, knotting the score at 1 and setting the stage for the Phillies' eventual victory.
When it comes to hitting home runs, Deion Sanders is a legend. That's a well-known fact in Philly.
Furthermore, Bryce Harper has solidified his place in baseball history by becoming the all-time leader in career home runs in the NLDS with 10.
Braves manager Brian Snitker had high praise for Harper, calling him a Hall of Famer who thrives in the spotlight and excels on the big stage.
Regarding the choice of wearing Deion Sanders-inspired shirts to the game, both Castellanos and Harper claimed it was purely coincidental. Castellanos, a fan of Sanders, felt that the day was just right to don the attire. Harper, on the other hand, revealed that he had some second thoughts about wearing a shirt featuring the former Braves star during his drive to the ballpark.
In a light-hearted moment, Bryce Harper, upon realizing he was wearing a shirt featuring a former Braves player, joked, "Oh no, he actually played for Atlanta," with a laugh. He briefly considered turning around to change but ultimately decided to keep the shirt on, expressing his admiration for Deion Sanders and his impact in Colorado.
For the second consecutive year in Game 3 of the NLDS, the Phillies replicated their impressive third-inning offensive surge against the Braves. In the previous season, they returned home from a 1-1 series split in Atlanta and tallied six runs in the third inning. Notably, Rhys Hoskins had an exuberant bat spike celebration following his three-run homer.
In this latest Game 3, Castellanos and Harper powered the Phillies with home runs off Bryce Elder, establishing a 4-1 lead. J.T. Realmuto contributed with a two-run double against Michael Tonkin.
Harper continued his dominant performance with a solo home run in the fifth, which soared beyond the reach of Michael Harris II, who had made a crucial leaping catch in Game 2. Harper punctuated the feat with another intense stare in the direction of Orlando Arcia as he rounded second base.
The significance of Harper's staredowns even caught the attention of the Elias Sports Bureau, who humorously noted that while stare downs are not an official statistic, they recognized Harper's impact.
Aaron Nola, who is set to enter free agency after the World Series, acknowledged the enthusiastic standing ovation from the crowd after pitching 5 2/3 innings. He recorded nine strikeouts and allowed Ozzie Albies' RBI single in the third inning.
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