Shea Langeliers Makes MLB History with 3-HR Game in Leadoff Spot as A's Beat Nationals

Shea Langeliers became just the second catcher in MLB history to hit three home runs out of the leadoff spot while leading the Athletics to a 16-7 road win over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday.

In addition, Langeliers became the first Athletics catcher since 1972 to amass five hits in one game.

Furthermore, his 15 total bases are tied for the most by a catcher in a game since at least 1900.

Langeliers led the game off with a home run off Nats starter Mackenzie Gore:

He then sent a fifth inning solo homer into the left field seats off Orlando Ribalta.

In the seventh, Langeliers added his third homer (another solo shot) off Andry Lara for an 11-3 lead.

For the night, Langeliers went 5-of-6 with three homers, four runs and three RBI. He led an Athletics team that smacked 24 hits. JJ Bleday notably had four hits and six RBI.

Overall, it was an amazing night for the Athletics and Langeliers, who was batting leadoff for the first time in his career, per MLB.com's Martín Gallegos.

Langeliers and Travis d'Arnaud are now the only two catchers to hit three homers in the leadoff spot. The latter player, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, got the job done for the Tampa Bay Rays in a 5-4 road win over the New York Yankees on July 15, 2019.

Dave Duncan was the last Athletics catcher to get five hits in a game, doing so on July 12, 1972 in a 7-6 home loss to the Boston Red Sox.

Langeliers' accomplishment occurred 11 days after his Athletics teammate, rookie first baseman Nick Kurtz, smacked four home runs in a 16-3 win over the Houston Astros.

Kurtz finished the night with six hits, six runs, eight RBI and 19 total bases.