Harper proves he's human with 5th straight strikeout

We've officially reached the point at which Bryce Harper's struggles are even more impressive than his accomplishments.

The Washington Nationals phenom - whose outwordly performance last year made him the youngest unanimous MVP ever - continued to show signs of mortality Monday after striking out for the fifth time in as many plate appearances.

Harper's first-inning strikeout at the hands of Kansas City Royals right-hander Edinson Volquez followed Sunday's four-strikeout game - his first Golden Sombrero since his rookie year. According to MLB.com's William Ladson, Elias Sports Bureau reports the National League record for consecutive plate appearances with a strikeout is nine, shared by Mark Reynolds (2007), Eric Davis (1987), and Adolfo Phillips (1966).

Ironically, Harper was the last qualified NL hitter to strike out this season after managing to avoid strike three for the first 23 plate appearances of 2016. Harper's mini-slump comes on the heels of being awarded the NL Player of the Month earlier Monday.