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Bryce Harper: Nationals star hits NL-leading 15th bomb

By Alex Butler
Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper hits a two run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning on May 4 at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper hits a two run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning on May 4 at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

May 22 (UPI) -- Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper hit his 15th home run of the season Tuesday and now leads the National League in long balls.

Harper hit the solo shot in the bottom of the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

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San Diego led 1-0 entering the bottom of the fifth inning, following a solo shot from Franchy Cordero in the top of the fourth frame. Harper stepped up to the plate as the third batter of the Nationals order. Eric Lauer threw just one pitch to Harper and it was a mistake.

The five-time All-Star turned on his 85.5-mph cutter, sending it deep to center field. Harper's homer traveled 433-feet and left his bat at 110-mph, according to Statcast. The bomb bounced off of the batter's eye in center field.

Harper also went yard Monday in the Nationals' 10-2 win against the Padres. He went 2-for-4 in that victory. He was also 2-for-4 through eight innings on Tuesday. The Nationals and Padres were still tied at 1-1 after seven innings.

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