Power to left field offers further evidence of Harper's resurgence

NEW YORK - Want the surest sign yet that Bryce Harper has at long last snapped out of his months-long slump? He's now racking up opposite-field doubles.

There has been mounting evidence of Harper's resurgence over the last couple of weeks, ever since he took five days off to rest an ailing neck injury. But the last few days have bolstered the argument, and Friday night's performance during the Nationals' 4-1 victory over the Mets was among the best examples yet.

Harper went 2-for-3 in the game, twice doubling to left field. (He also lofted a sacrifice fly to center and roped a line drive to right-center that was caught by Jay Bruce.)

Those extra-base hits to the opposite field stand out the most to Nationals manager Dusty Baker.

"I've been impressed about the last week or so," Baker said. "When he's hitting line drives, staying out of the air, hitting the ball low to the opposite field, he's staying through the zone."

The end result: a whole lot more two-baggers than Harper had been produced throughout his long slump.

Harper racked up 38 doubles during his MVP campaign last season, but through his first 105 games this year he had only 13. Now, in 19 games since taking his brief injury-related break, he has doubled nine times.

Overall, Harper is batting a robust .347 with a .429 on-base percentage, 1.054 OPS and 19 RBIs during this 19-game resurgence.

That much of his production Friday night came against Noah Syndergaard - one of the toughest pitchers to hit in the National League - made it all the more impressive. Harper is now 5-for-16 in his career against the big right-hander.

"Just try to have good at-bats, not chase the tough pitches that he throws," Harper said. "He throws a lot of pitches below the zone that are really good. If you can get him up and solidify yourself in the box as best you can, that's what you've got to do."

For all his struggles earlier this summer, Harper still boasts the overall numbers - .383 on-base percentage, .470 slugging percentage, .853 OPS, 23 homers, 76 RBIs, 75 runs, 19 stolen bases - of a highly productive player.

And there's mounting evidence those numbers will only continue to rise over the season's final month.

"We need Bryce," Baker said. "And water seeks its own level. Bryce is not going to continue to struggle forever. He's getting it together right on time."