Riley Greene Makes MLB History with Two Home Runs in One Inning
In a thrilling game on Friday night, Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene etched his name in Major League Baseball history. As the ninth inning began, the Tigers were tied with the Los Angeles Angels, but by the time Greene stepped away from the plate, he had made a remarkable impact.
Greene became the first player in MLB history to hit two home runs in a single ninth inning. He kicked off the inning with a powerful solo shot against Angels closer Kenley Jansen, and later hit a three-run homer with two outs. This incredible performance contributed to an impressive eight-run ninth inning for the Tigers.
The two home runs traveled a total of 780 feet, showcasing Greene’s strong hitting abilities at Angel Stadium. Earlier in the game, the Tigers had tied things up in the seventh inning thanks to a solo home run by Trey Sweeney, setting the stage for Greene’s remarkable feats.
Jansen, who hadn’t pitched in eight days, faced a difficult outing, allowing six hits, three of which were home runs, leading to six earned runs being charged to him. This outing was particularly disappointing for Jansen, who had not allowed any runs in his previous nine games this season, causing his earned run average (ERA) to soar from 0.00 to a career-high 6.23.
After Jansen, the Angels turned to pitcher Jake Eder, but he too struggled, allowing two more runs before finally getting Colt Keith to fly out, ending the top half of the inning. Meanwhile, the Angels were unable to mount a comeback, going down in order against Tigers pitcher Tyler Owens in the bottom of the ninth.
Reflecting on the historic inning, Greene expressed his surprise, stating, “That might be a first for me,” when asked if he had ever witnessed something like that before.
This victory marked Greene’s seventh and eighth home runs of the season. His performance has contributed to a strong offensive showing for the Tigers, as he currently boasts a batting average of .276, along with 19 runs and 20 RBIs. The team has positioned itself as one of the best in the American League so far this season, holding a solid record of 21 wins and 12 losses in a highly competitive AL Central.
On the other side, the Angels are enduring a challenging season. They now sit at 12 wins and 19 losses after suffering a seventh consecutive loss and nine defeats in their last ten games. The team has also faced significant setbacks, including the recent injury of their star player, Mike Trout, who has landed on the injured list due to a bone bruise in his left knee.
As the season progresses, both teams are navigating their respective challenges. The Tigers, invigorated by Greene’s historic performance, look to maintain their momentum, while the Angels need to regroup and capitalize on upcoming opportunities to turn their season around.
