Phillies' Bryce Harper Criticizes Umpire Phil Cuzzi After 3-1 Loss to Giants

In their 3-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park, Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper criticized home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi for making several questionable strike calls that favored the Giants, particularly during Harper's eighth-inning at-bat. Harper expressed frustration that the umpiring 'took over the game,' noting multiple strikes called on pitches outside the zone, which impacted crucial moments and ultimately contributed to the Phillies' defeat despite a strong pitching performance by Cristopher Sánchez. Cuzzi's strike zone calls were widely viewed as inconsistent and detrimental to the Phillies, who also struggled offensively by going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. Harper, who has been battling wrist inflammation and recent hitting struggles, lamented the missed opportunities, emphasizing that while he respects Cuzzi, the umpire needed to do better. The game underscored calls for the automated ball-strike system set to debut in 2026, which could prevent such umpiring errors in the future. Despite the loss, the Phillies remain atop the National League East standings, though the team's ongoing difficulties at Oracle Park continue to be a concern.