With four home runs in his last three games, Washington Nationals right fielder and MVP front-runner Bryce Harper has passed Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado for the National League lead in home runs.
Entering play on Monday, Arenado had held the NL lead in dingers with 38, with teammate Carlos Gonzalez right behind him in second place and 37; Harper was third with 36. Three games later, both Arenado and Gonzalez are now trying to chase down Harper. Here’s a look at Harper’s 40th, courtesy of MLB.com.
In a series of three wins (part of a current four-game winning streak) against the Phillies, Harper went 7-for-13 with four HR and seven RBI. Meanwhile, Arenado was 4-for-14 with one HR and Gonzalez was 2-for-12 with no round-trippers during that time.
Despite a disappointing showing in the win-loss column this year, one of the positives had been the fact that Colorado could claim the top two home run-hitters in the league. Now they’ll be playing catchup, hoping to track down Harper as he and the surging Nationals try and track down the Mets in the NL East.
Arenado and Gonzalez won’t have a chance Thursday to make up any ground, as the Rockies have a day off before starting their last homestand of the year – a ten game set that begins with three against San Diego before Pittsburgh and Los Angeles come to town.
Harper, meanwhile, can build on his lead as the Nationals host the 63-83 Miami Marlins.
