Watching Bryce is always nice, but Easter Bryce is twice as nice.
Washington Nationals' outfielder Bryce Harper got three games into the 2018 season before blasting a home run, which is honestly a bit of a power slump for the prolific power hitter. He owns five career Opening Day home runs and nearly left Great American Ballpark without bashing one into the empty seats beyond the outfield.
Instead, he mashed two taters on Easter Sunday, again.
He also managed to accomplish that feat on Easter Sunday 2017, proving that he has a great feel for the spotlight in big moments.
The Nationals deployed the split screen treatment for this Easter and last, and the home runs even come off at similar trajectories, with the first home runs going to right field and the second home runs going to center field:
Bryce Harper moonshots are becoming an Easter tradition. pic.twitter.com/Fyu4Qs95Gv
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 2, 2018After the game, Harper gave a very understated Harper response to another monster achievement.
"Just trying to go up there and have good [at bats>, get a pitch over the plate," he said with a shrug. "My first two ABs, I didn’t have a pitch over the plate. And third AB, finally got one over the dish and did some damage."
It was the 16th multi-home run game of Harper's career and was the culmination of a great offensive weekend for both player and club. Through three contests, Harper is batting .400 with two home runs, four RBI and three runs. New manager Dave Martinez knows he doesn't need Harper to clear the outfield wall in order to contribute effectively.
"He's Bryce Harper. He had good at-bats," Martinez said with a shrug. "I told him, I said, 'Y'know, a sacrifice fly is key. Staying on the ball and not striking out, putting the ball in play at times. You can drive in runs without getting a hit.'
"But today, you saw Bryce Harper being Bryce Harper."
Follow Brian Tinsman and 106.7 The Fan on Twitter.
