Harper has been on fire since winning HR Derby
Things have finally started to click for Bryce Harper.
After slumping through the first half of the season, the Washington Nationals star outfielder has been one of the hottest hitters in the majors since winning the Home Run Derby last month.
SPLIT | GP | 2B | HR | AVG/OBP/SLG |
---|---|---|---|---|
1st Half | 94 | 14 | 23 | .214/.365/.468 |
2nd Half | 12 | 4 | 3 | .359/.480/.692 |
Harper has recorded multiple hits in three straight games, boosting his season average to .230 - the highest it's been since June 3.
"Just got to keep going," Harper said, according to Jamal Collier of MLB.com. "Keep having good at-bats and doing everything we can to score runs and putting pressure on the other team."
Harper's return to form couldn't have come at a better time for the Nationals, who opted to stand pat at the non-waiver trade deadline as ownership stated it couldn't wave the white flag on the season.
Coinciding with Harper's hot streak has been better play from the entire team. The club has won its last three contests and closed the gap in the division - sitting just five games back - and is just 4 1/2 games out of the second wild-card spot.