Riley Greene made history on Friday night when he hit two home runs in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels, becoming the first player in MLB history to achieve this feat in a single inning. The Detroit Tigers outfielder launched a solo shot off Angels closer Kenley Jansen to lead off the inning, and then later capped off the remarkable performance with a three-run homer with two outs.
The two home runs combined for a total distance of 780 feet at Angel Stadium, contributing to the Tigers’ eight-run ninth inning rally. This offensive explosion tied the game, with Trey Sweeney’s solo homer in the seventh setting the stage for Greene’s heroics.
Jansen, who had not pitched in eight days, struggled against the Tigers, giving up six hits (including three homers) and six earned runs in the ninth inning. This outing raised his ERA from 0.00 to a career-high 6.23, highlighting the unpredictable nature of a reliever’s role in baseball.
In a post-game interview, Jansen acknowledged his rough performance, stating, “Sometimes you stink. That’s it.” The Angels then turned to Jake Eder, who allowed two more runs before the inning concluded.
Greene, reflecting on his historic night, admitted that he had never witnessed such an event before. The young outfielder’s performance, which included his seventh and eighth home runs of the season, has been a significant factor in the Tigers’ success this season.
As for the Angels, their struggles continued as they dropped their seventh consecutive game and fell to a record of 12-19. The team faces additional challenges with star player Mike Trout landing on the injured list due to a knee injury, further complicating their season outlook.
Overall, Greene’s remarkable feat and the Tigers’ strong showing exemplify the competitive nature of the American League this season, with Detroit emerging as a top contender in the AL Central division.