Harper: PEDs no excuse for losing batting title to Gordon

Bryce Harper won't use Dee Gordon's positive steroid test as an excuse to why he lost the 2015 National League batting title.

Not only that, but the Washington Nationals slugger doesn't want to be considered the de facto winner, despite losing the crown on the final day of the regular season.

"I lost the batting title. I lost it completely," Harper told reporters prior to the Nationals' series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals. "I was hitting like .345 with three weeks left or so. I completely lost it."

Over his last 11 games of the regular season, Harper batted .162, seeing his average plummet from .343 to .330. Gordon batted .375 with 18 hits over that same stretch, including a three-hit performance in the final game of the season to up his average to .333.

Related: Gordon suspended 80 games after positive PED test

Gordon was suspended 80 games early Friday morning for violating MLB's drug policy. He tested positive for testosterone and clostebol, but Harper believes there's more to winning the batting title than just juicing.

"It was nothing to do with that," he said. "You've still got to hit the baseball. You've still got to perform. And he did that."

Harper, along with the rest of baseball, was stunned to learn Gordon, a favorite among Miami Marlins players and fans, tested positive. The suspension comes seven days after Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Chris Colabello was handed an 80-game ban for violating the league's drug policy.

"It's definitely a disappointment," Harper said. "He's one of the best second basemen in the game, a big talent, a lot of fun to watch.

"It's just disappointment, something you don't want to see. Not good for the sport, not good for baseball," he added, "but he's still one of the best players in the game and I've still got a lot of respect for him. But it's definitely something that's just tough."