Bryce Harper broke out of a slump with a career-best four extra-base hits - and then issued a reminder about his place in the game.
"I'm really good. I mean, I really am," Harper said after leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a 13-0 rout of the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday. "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 hasn't been himself much of the season. The two-time NL MVP and eight-time All-Star missed most of June with inflammation in his right wrist.
He had gone 1 for 14 in four games before Wednesday, when he hit a homer and three doubles, all to the opposite field. He sent a 3-1 fastball from Justin Verlander over the left-field wall for his first longball since returning from the injured list.
After the game, he stressed the importance of getting ahead in the count.