Harper understands Phillies fans booing him at home: 'I'd do the same thing'
After the notoriously critical Philadelphia Phillies fans booed Bryce Harper during a lackluster performance in a 3-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, the star slugger sided with the hostile home crowd, saying he'd boo himself too.
"I'd do the same thing," Harper said, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. "It's not fun to lose, it's not fun to watch when you're playing that way. (I was) 0-for-4 with two punchies, I'm probably thinking the same thing walking back to the dugout."
Harper went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and also committed an error on a fly ball Tuesday.
The six-time All-Star has struggled after a hot start. In 22 games since April 6, he's hitting .188 with just three home runs and a .692 OPS to go along with 29 strikeouts in 97 plate appearances.
"I feel fine," Harper said. "Just keep missing pitches. That's about it. Swing feels good, hands feel good. Just swinging at pitches out of the zone. Pretty much the same thing.
"Just trying to swing at a pitch over the plate and not miss it. If I can cut down on swinging on pitches out of the zone, get on base for the guys behind me, then I'll be successful."
When asked if he's pressing, Harper was optimistic things will turn around soon.
"Nah. I mean, my work's the same every day. I feel good in the cage, feel good going about it each day. But like I said, can't miss pitches over the plate. I'm getting some pitches to hit over the plate. Got to be better."
The Phillies (16-13) currently sit in first place in a tight NL East.