Harper first in NL to 30 homers, expects more
Nats outfielder becomes 26th player with that mark by age 22
SAN FRANCISCO -- One thing can be said about Bryce Harper: He knows how to be the center of attention.
On Friday night in an 8-5 loss to the Giants, Harper put himself in the record books by becoming the 26th player to hit at least 30 home runs in a season at 22 or younger. The most recent player to reach that plateau was Mike Trout in 2014.
Harper also became the first player in the National League to hit 30 home runs this season. Seven American League players have hit at least 30 homers.
Harper homered in the bottom of the fifth inning. With two runners on base and the Nats down, 6-2, Harper swung at the first pitch from Giants right-hander Matt Cain and hit a monster shot in Levi's Landing in right-center field to make it a 6-5 game in favor of San Francisco.
Asked if hitting 30 home runs was a big deal to him, Harper made it clear he expects more.
"I'm playing for 40 [home runs]," Harper said. "If you are not worried about 30, you are not worried about 40. I want to hit 40 or 50. I want to keep going. I want to keep battling.
"If I'm doing that, hopefully, we are winning ballgames. That's all that matters. Personal stats, of course, are fun. But it's all about winning ballgames and what you can do for your team."
Manager Matt Williams said Harper hasn't reached his ceiling as a player.
"[Harper] has taken the steps necessary to be the player he wants to be. That ceiling is pretty high. He has a long way to go still," Williams said.