For one night at least, the hometown fans at Nationals Park had something to cheer about.
Washington All-Star Bryce Harper – who is a free agent after this season and could be moving on to greener pastures – put on a show in the final round of the Home Run Derby to delight his hometown fans during a season that has been a disappointing one for the Nats thus far.
With his father Ron serving as his designated Derby pitcher, Harper came back from an 18-9 deficit to Kyle Schwarber in the final round of the Derby, crushing nine homers in 47 seconds.
Then, with the scored tied, Harper knocked the second pitch of bonus time out of the park.
The champ is here. pic.twitter.com/S6tVh7DCBj
— MLB (@MLB) July 17, 2018
18 homers in the final round and 55 total.@kschwarb12 with an unreal performance. pic.twitter.com/Q9gglDQoBw
— MLB (@MLB) July 17, 2018
Harper hit 45 home runs during the event overall, while Schwarber actually clubbed 55 in total. During the Home Run Derby as a whole, 221 homers were hit, the highest total in history.
“It’s unbelievable,” Harper said afterward. “We have some of the best fans in baseball, and to be able to do that with my family out there, that’s an incredible moment – not only for me, but for the organization and Nationals fans. I’m very blessed and humbled.”
Next year, the All-Star festivities and the Derby will move to Progressive Field in Cleveland.
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