Ranger Suarez became the season’s first 10-game winner and Bryce Harper powered the Philadelphia Phillies over the New York Mets 7-2 on Saturday in the opener of Major League Baseball’s third London Series.

Harper sparked a six-run fourth that included Whit Merrifield's three-run homer for the Phillies, who have the best record in Major League Baseball. Harper's game-tying home run sparked a soccer-style slide celebration.

After the Phillies' win, Harper had a warning to the rest of the league – per MLB Network:

Said Harper, “I think the consistency we find on our team, 1 through 9, you know, just go up their…have a plan, have an approach. I thought we did a great job of that today, understanding what we needed to do. And our starting pitching, I said the other day, being able to have Ranger go out there and do his job…obviously he got hit in the hand the other day, so for him to come out and do that today was great. What a great start to the series.”

When asked what it meant to him for the Phillies to show up big in front of the British crowd, Harper replied, “It's a lot of fun, man. I enjoy it. I enjoy the moment. I enjoy coming out here and repping Philadelphia, understanding what it's like to be a Phillie, and I love this team. I love this organization, so there's nothing like doing it in this uniform, on this stage, in front of a different country. Just a lot of fun.”

Bryce Harper leading Phillies to MLB best start

The Phillies have won seven of their last eight games to build a nine-game lead over the Atlanta Braves in the NL East. They appear poised to run away with their first divisional title in over a decade and finally putting everything together in the playoffs.

The team hung on for a 7-2 victory over the Mets in London that was punctuated by that Harper home run.

While the Phillies have gotten off to an MLB best 45-19 start, the Braves floundered a bit as they struggle through injury issues. The Braves have lost their best pitcher – Spencer Strider – and best positional player – Ronald Acuna Jr. – for the rest of the season due to injuries.

But in the meantime, the Phillies keep finding ways to win, opening up a wide buffer in a National League East over the rival Braves. Philadelphia has struggled to top Atlanta in the regular season standings of late but has eliminated the Braves in the postseason each of the last two seasons.

The Phillies and Mets will continue their London series on Sunday morning. Taijuan Walker is scheduled to take the mound for Philadelphia against Jose Quintana.