Alex Brandon / AP
Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper (34) is congratulated by third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) after a first inning solo homer during the opening day baseball game against the Miami Marlins in Washington, on Monday, April 1, 2013.
Monday, April 1, 2013 | 11:27 a.m.
Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper has become the second-youngest major league player to homer in his team's first game of a season.
The reigning NL Rookie of the Year, who is 20, drove a pitch from Marlins right-hander Ricky Nolasco over the out-of-town scoreboard in right-center in the first inning Monday. In his second at-bat in the fourth inning, Harper belted another home run to give Washington a 2-0 lead.
At 20 years, 167 days old, the former Las Vegas High and College of Southern Nevada star ranks behind only Tony Conigliaro, who was 20 years, 95 days old when he homered for the Boston Red Sox in Game 1 on April 12, 1965, according to STATS LLC.
The Las Vegas resident was 19 when he was called up to the majors by the Nationals in April 2012, turning in one of the finest seasons by a teenager in baseball history. He finished with 22 homers, 59 RBIs and 98 runs scored.
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