Make a wish! Bryce crushes birthday homer

•Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper made his 31st birthday a special one on Monday night, crushing a first-inning home run in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

•Harper's blast came off D-backs ace Zac Gallen on the first pitch of the game, and it set the tone for a 5-3 Phillies victory. Harper also added an RBI single in the third inning and a walk in the fifth, reaching base three times and scoring twice.

•After crossing home plate with his home run, Harper flashed three fingers on his left hand and one on his right, then blew on them like candles on a cake. It was a fitting celebration for a player who has always had a flair for the dramatic.

•Harper is now the fourth player in MLB history to homer on his birthday in the postseason, joining Willie Aikens, Evan Longoria, and Kolten Wong. He and Aikens are the only ones to do so in an LCS or World Series, as well as the only players to do it as part of a multihit effort.

•Harper's home run was his fourth of the postseason, and it continued his torrid hitting streak. He has now reached base in 13 consecutive playoff games, and he has batted .368/.476/.737 with seven RBIs over that span.

•The Phillies are now one win away from advancing to the World Series for the first time since 2009. Harper has been a driving force behind their success, and he has shown no signs of slowing down.

"He's a special player," Phillies manager Rob Thomson said of Harper. "He's a superstar. He's a gamer. He's everything you want in a player."

•Harper's birthday home run was a memorable moment for Phillies fans everywhere. It was a reminder of just how special he is, and it gave them hope that he can lead them to a World Series title.

•Make a wish, Phillies fans. Bryce Harper is on your side.