Gennett scoots into history with 4 HRs
Reds utility player 17th to accomplish that feat
CINCINNATI — Scooter Gennett hit four home runs, matching the major league record, and finished with 10 RBIs as the Cincinnati Reds routed the slumping St. Louis Cardinals 13-1 on Tuesday night.
Gennett became the 17th player to homer four times in one game — and perhaps the least likely. A scrappy second baseman who was claimed off waivers from Milwaukee in late March, he began the night with 38 career home runs in five seasons, including three this year.
“It’s surreal, man. It really is,” Gennett said. “I’m truly blessed. I’m from here, born here. Watching all those guys play when I was little. And to do something that’s never been done — I can’t put words on it.”
No major leaguer had ever had five hits, four homers and 10 RBIs in a game, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
The 27-year-old Gennett singled his first time up and then homered in four straight at-bats, including a grand slam. His 10 RBIs tied Cincinnati’s club record.
Gennett went 5-for-5 on Tuesday and raised his batting average 32 points to .302.
Since being picked up by the Reds late in spring training, Gennett has played a utility role for Cincinnati. He started in left field Tuesday night.
With the crowd of 18,620 on its feet, Gennett hit a two-run drive in the eighth off John Brebbia for a place in history and his second curtain call.
“I was kind of laughing, to be honest with you,” Gennett said. “For a guy like me to do that is crazy — a little short of a miracle.”
NATIONALS 2, DODGERS 1: In Los Angeles, Max Scherzer struck out 14 in seven innings, allowing one run on three hits, and Bryce Harper doubled and scored for the Nationals.
ROCKIES 11, INDIANS 3: In Denver, rookie pitcher Antonio Senzatela (8-2) hit a three-run double and Mark Reynolds homered twice for Colorado.
CUBS 10, MARLINS 2: In Chicago, Jake Arrieta pitched two-hit ball into the seventh inning, Anthony Rizzo drove in four runs and the Cubs earned their season-high fifth straight win.
DIAMONDBACKS 10, PADRES 2: In Phoenix, Robbie Ray struck out 11 in 6⅔ innings, helping Arizona win its seventh straight home game.
PHILLIES 3, BRAVES 1: In Atlanta, Aaron Nola allowed a run over eight innings and the Phillies survived a ninth-inning scare.
BREWERS 5, GIANTS 2: In Milwaukee, Chase Anderson pitched 7⅔ shutout innings, drove in a run and won his third straight game and the Brewers beat San Francisco.
ORIOLES 6, PIRATES 5 (10): In Baltimore, Jonathan Schoop tied it in the ninth inning with his second home run of the game and Mark Trumbo singled home a run in the 10th to rally the Orioles.
RANGERS 10, METS 8: In Arlington, Texas, Joey Gallo hit a towering tworun homer and the Rangers ended a four-game losing streak.
RED SOX 5, YANKEES 4: In New York, Mitch Moreland and Hanley Ramirez hit back-to-back home runs and Andrew Benintendi later connected off Masahiro Tanaka, powering the Red Sox.
Boston broadcaster Jerry Remy stirred up social media when he said on air that pitchers such as Tanaka shouldn’t be allowed translators on the mound.
“Learn baseball language. You know, learn, it’s pretty simple. You break it down pretty easy between pitching coach and pitcher after a long period of time,” Remy said.
ROYALS 9, ASTROS 7: In Kansas City, Mo., Mike Moustakas hit a tworun homer with two outs in the ninth inning and the Royals snapped Houston’s 11-game winning streak.
ANGELS 5, TIGERS 3: In Detroit, Kole Calhoun and C.J. Cron homered as the Angels beat the Tigers.
WHITE SOX 4, RAYS 2: In St. Petersburg, Fla., Avisail Garcia, Volmer Sanchez and Todd Frazier homered, helping the White Sox stop a five-game losing streak.