Bryce Harper topped the Cubs’ Kyle Schwarber in the finals of the MLB Home Run Derby at Nationals Park on Monday, becoming only the third player from the host team to win the event.
The Reds’ Todd Frazier (2015) and the Cubs’ Ryne Sandberg (1990) were the two other players to accomplish the feat, and Harper won the long ball competition after taking runner-up in 2013 to Yoenis Cespedes at Citi Field.
Harper defeated the Braves’ Freddie Freeman in the first round, 13-12, before topping the Dodgers’ Max Muncy by the same count in the semifinals.
With his dad pitching, the 25-year-old then only needed one dinger on his second swing of extra time in the finals to beat Schwarber 19-18 after a slow start to the round.
The American League, which had won eight of the past 11 derbies, saw its lone contestant (Houston’s Alex Bregman) eliminated in the first round. Last year’s champion, the Yankees’ Aaron Judge, did not participate.
Monday’s 221 total homers were the most in any derby since the event began in 1985.
The Midsummer Classic is Tuesday night at 6 p.m. MT on FOX. The Rockies’ Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon and Trevor Story will all be participating.
Complete results from Washington D.C.
1st Round
Cubs’ Kyle Schwarber (16) def. Astros’ Alex Bregman (15)
Phillies’ Rhys Hoskins (17) def. Brewers’ Jesus Aguilar (12)
Dodgers’ Max Muncy (17) def. Cubs’ Javier Baez (16)
Nationals’ Bryce Harper (13) def. Braves’ Freddie Freeman (12)
Semifinals
Schwarber (21) def. Hoskins (20)
Harper (13) def. Muncy (12)
Finals
Harper (19) def. Schwarber (18)
