WASHINGTON (AP) — Bryce Harper hit his first major league homer, a solo shot to straightaway center field for the Washington Nationals off San Diego Padres right-hander Tim Stauffer.
The 19-year-old Harper, the youngest player in the majors, drove a 2-1 pitch to the grass backdrop just to the left of the 402-foot marker with two outs in the third inning Monday night.
Harper raced around the bases and straight to the dugout, where he exchanged high-fives with teammates. As the crowd cheered, Harper came to the top of the dugout steps for a curtain call, thrusting his index finger into the air.
The homer came in Harper’s 15th game and 54th at-bat with the Nationals. He was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 amateur draft.
