Team’s season record for HRs within Stanton’s reach
MIAMI From the crack of the bat to the nodoubt flight of the ball to his trip around the bases, Giancarlo Stanton made a habit this week of going deep in the first inning.
In all three games against the Philadelphia Phillies, including the Miami Marlins’ 10-3 loss in the series finale, Stanton homered in his first at-bat, launching a baseball 441 feet Monday, 442 feet Tuesday and 437 feetWednesday.
That gives Stanton 30 on the year, a total that qualifies as impressive in the context of Marlins history aswell as this season across baseball. His proclivity for home runs, however, didn’t mean much in his own eyes.
“Honestly, if you’re going to lose, lose a series, it’s whatever. I don’t really care,” Stanton said. “If it’s not enough to help win, then personal stuff [doesn’t matter]. I’ve had enough personal stuff. If we don’t win, it’s not that fun.”
Stanton is tied for themajor league home run lead with the New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge. He is only seven away from matching his career best (37, set in 2012 and 2014) and is quickly approaching the single-season Marlins record of 42 (set by Gary Sheffield in 1996).
Worth noting: Marcell Ozuna (23 homers) and Justin Bour (21) are also a hot streak away from challenging Sheffield’s mark.
With his long ball Wednesday, Stanton set a newMarlins record for July homers — nine, all hit in an 11-game stretch starting July 5— with a week and a half left in the month.
He also became the quickestMarlin to reach the 30-homer milestone, needing only 93 team games, besting 2003 Mike Lowell, who needed110.
“G’s been great,” manager Don Mattingly said. “Obviously, he’s been swinging the bat.”