WASHINGTON (AP) — Kyle Schwarber’s exploits have now progressed into truly rarified air. The National’s outfielder entered Wednesday’s matchup against Tampa Bay with 16 home runs in his last 18 games, a statistical run that only Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa previously managed. Only Albert Belle had achieved Schwarber’s total of 12 homers in a 10-game span. Only Frank Howard — a star slugger in Washington a half-century earlier — had hit 11 in nine. This slugging surge comes at a good time for Schwarber. He was non-tendered by the Chicago Cubs this past offseason and signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Nationals.
