Alex Rodriguez Hits 3 Home Runs vs. Twins: Stats, Highlights and Reaction
Alex Rodriguez is on the verge of turning 40 years old, but that didn't stop the New York Yankees third baseman from turning back the clock in an 8-5 win Saturday night against the Minnesota Twins.ย
Rodriguez ripped three home runs, including a solo shot to center that tied things at five in the top of the ninth inning.
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According to ESPN Stats & Info, Saturday marked the fifth time in Rodriguez's career that he hit three home runs in a single game. It was the first time he boasted the accomplishment since a 2010 showdown against the Kansas City Royals.ย Furthermore, Rodriguez now sits one game back of Sammy Sosa and Johnny Mize for the most three-home run games of all time, per ESPN Stats & Info.
He also joined some exclusive company in the process of hitting three dingers that each traveled at least 420 feet, according to ESPN Stats & Info:
NBC Sports' Aaron Gleeman provided some staggering historical context regarding A-Rod's achievement:ย
The first home run of Rodriguez's evening was arguably the most impressive. Facing a 2-0 count in the top of the fourth inning, Rodriguez bombed a Tommy Milone offering into the third deck in left field:ย
Rodriguez then followed up that at-bat by blasting a two-run shotย into left-center field to cut the deficit to two. ย ย
Not bad for the league's sixth-oldest player.ย
"He's been remarkable," general manager Brian Cashman said, per the New York Times' Billy Witz. "Forty is a big number. Bottom line: Normally you're not in a position to be evaluating 40-year-olds anymore in this game because they're usually out of the game."
As ESPN.com's Mike Mazzeo noted, Saturday's MLB slate was packed with statistical anomalies:ย
Catcher John Ryan Murphy followed Rodriguez's lead in the ninth and proceeded to crush a three-run homer to right field to cap off a thrilling victory for the AL East-leading Yankees.ย
Given the way Rodriguez has performed at the plate following a year off due to a PED-related suspension, it's possible the Yankees could soon stake their claim as the cream of the American League crop as they seek to snap a two-year postseason drought.
