It has been a rough one for the Philadelphia Phillies as their once commanding lead on top of the AL East is starting to diminish as they have lost seven of the last 10 games, coming off of a three-game sweep against the New York Yankees. Phillies star Bryce Harper is also in a slump of his own as he spoke after the group's 6-5 loss to the Yankees Thursday to touch on the state of team.
The three losses to New York further shows Philadelphia's current status as it is the first time in two years since the team has been swept at home. On top of going 0-for-5 Thursday, Harper has gone 1-for-30 in his last 30 plate appearances as he said that they have been “pretty sloppy” and how important it is to “cowboy up” according to ESPN.
“I could say we haven't been playing good baseball on both sides of the ball,” Harper said. “Pretty sloppy as a team — we've got to turn the page. We've got to cowboy up and play the right way. We're a damn good team.”
Harper acknowledges Phillies slump as “part of the game”
At one points the Phillies had a 10-game lead over the Atlanta Braves in the AL East, but after losing four straight, which crazy enough is the largest skid of the season for them, their competitors are creeping up towards them. Philadelphia is also at a league worst 4-11 since July 11 as Harper acknowledges how “going through” slumps like the one they are in happen all the time in baseball.
“Going through stretches like this is part of the game,” Harper said. “It's part of growing as a player. Just got to keep on keeping on.”
“It is what it is,” Harper continued on his performances as of late. “I just have to try to battle out of it as best I can. I thought my at-bats were better, so that's good. Just got to find a way.”
So far on the season, Harper is batting a .274 average to go along with 24 home runs and 67 RBIs which for a star player like him, the current state has to be disappointing even if it's normal in baseball. Phillies manager Rob Thomson is confident that Harper will “come out of it at some point.”
“It's certainly frustrating for him, because he does want to perform and help the team win,” Thomson said via ESPN. “That's what he's all about, but he's just got to keep batting through it. You know he's going to come out of it at some point.”
Harper and Phillies ready to turn the page
Good news for Harper and Philadelphia is that while Thursday was the start of the month with a loss, they have August to “turn the page” to put it into the slugger's words.
“I'm excited to turn the page to August,” Harper said Thursday. “I'm sure a couple other guys are as well. We've got to just keep plugging along. It's a long season. We've got to just keep playing our game — just try to keep going. That's all you can do.”
At any rate, the Phillies are still 65-43 which puts them first in the AL East as they start a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners Friday night.
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