Freddie Freeman's debut in the MLB Home Run Derby was equal parts thrilling and brief.
On Monday night, the Braves slugger lost his first-round matchup with Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper, who clinched the 13-12 victory with a deep blast to right-center field with just 29 seconds on the clock.
Harper, who eventually won the HR competition (outlasting Kyle Schwarber in the final), certainly had the home-field advantage, with Washington D.C. playing host to this year's All-Star Game festivities.
Freeman's longest homer of the night was only 437 feet. As a result, he never qualified for the bonus time of 30 seconds (beyond 440 feet).
Harper, in turn, didn't need the bonus segment to earn the first-round win, punishing a barrage of dingers more than 440 feet.
The turning point: Stuck on three homers midway through the round, Harper then went on a tear of five consecutive homers.
After that, the impending free agent cruised to the victorious '13' mark.
The other first-round winners:
**Max Muncy (Dodgers) over Javier Baez (Cubs), 17-16
**Kyle Schwarber (Cubs) over Alex Bregman (Astros), 16-15
**Rhys Hoskins (Phillies) over Jesus Aguilar (Brewers), 17-12
SEMIFINALS
**Harper def. Muncy, 13-12
**Schwarber def. Hoskins, 21-20
FINALS
**Harper def. Schwarber, 19-18 (CHAMPION)