Nationals’ Harper, the All-American, wins Home Run Derby

Hometown hero proves to be top slugger with 19 homers

WASHINGTON — The ball cleared the centre-field wall, and the sell-out crowd roared. Bryce Harper threw his bat in the air, thrust both index fingers skyward and yelled with delight as a shower of streamers rained upon the 43,698 fans in attendance.

It could have been a scene from a playoff game.

That it was merely the Home Run Derby mattered not to Harper or the Washington Nationals fans, who were thrilled to see their hometown hero deliver the night’s final longball Monday.

In the midst of it all — and in the middle of trying season — Harper grabbed the microphone and said: “This crowd: Wow! Washington Nationals, baby!”

With an exceptional display of power and clutch hitting, Harper rallied in the final round, connecting on pitches from his father to beat Kyle Schwarber of the Chicago Cubs 19-18.

Harper hit the contest-winning blast in extra time — the reward for hitting two homers at least 440 feet during four minutes of regulation.

Wearing a headband that resembled the District of Columbia flag and displaying a right sleeve with stars and stripes, Harper trailed 18-9 with 1:20 left before rallying. He homered on nine of his last 10 swings before entering extra time.

The six-time All-Star arranged to have his dad, Ron, pitch to him in the annual contest on the eve of the All-Star Game.

“I’m only as good as my BP guy,” Harper said with a grin. “To be able to do that with my family out there, that’s an incredible moment.”

The Associated Press Washington Nationals slugger Bryce Harper hits during the MLB Home Run Derby, at Nationals Park on Monday in Washington, D.C. The 89th MLB baseball All-Star Game will be played there tonight.

The Associated Press Washington Nationals’ Bryce Harper reacts to his final home run to win Monday’s MLB Home Run Derby. Harper finished with 19 homers over three rounds.