Harper connects again for fourth homer

Bryce Harper went yard for the third time in four games, blasting his fourth career home run in Class A Hagerstown's 8-5 loss to West Virginia on Tuesday.

The Nationals' top prospect clubbed a two-out shot to right field in the first inning off West Virginia starter Tyler Waldron, a right-hander out of Oregon State who allowed just two homers in 64 2/3 innings last year.

The No. 1 pick in the 2010 Draft enjoyed his best game on April 22 when he went 3-for-3 with a homer, six RBIs, two walks and a stolen base against Hickory. The memorable night came one day after blasting a solo drive against the Crawdads.

The Las Vegas native, who finished 1-for-4, is batting .286 with four homers, 15 RBIs, three doubles and three steals in 17 games in the South Atlantic League.

He entered the game Tuesday batting .314 against right-handed pitching and .407 with runners on base.

The 18-year-old outfielder has hit safely in four of his last five games and briefly raised his average over .300 with the long ball.