The first ’30-homer, 60-double’ hitter in MLB is “Hotshot” Acua Jr.
Ronald Acuña Jr. (25-Atlanta Braves), one of Major League Baseball’s “Hotshot Juniors,” has reached a new milestone in Major League Baseball (MLB) history.
He hit a grand slam over the left field fence in the top of the second inning against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Acuña, who had hit 29 home runs and stolen 61 bases the previous day, became the first player in Major League Baseball to join the 30-homer, 60-steal club in a single season.
Previously, Eric Davis in 1987 and Barry Bonds in 1990 achieved the 30-homer, 50-steal mark, but Aquino is the first to reach the 30-homer, 60-steal mark.
Aquino’s bat came alive early on.
He led off the first inning with a single up the middle.
In the second inning, with the bases loaded and one out, Acuña drew a two-pitch, two-strike count against Dodgers starter Lance Lynn and launched a five-pitch, 151-mph fastball to left field for a grand slam.
After being picked off at shortstop in the fourth inning, Acuña took second on a wild pitch in the top of the sixth.
In his final at-bat in the top of the ninth, he singled up the middle and then stole second base to increase his season total to 62.
Behind Aquino, who went 3-for-4 with a home run, a walk, a stolen base and four RBIs, Atlanta held off a late Dodgers rally to win 8-7.
With a .337 batting average, 30 home runs, 83 RBIs, 62 doubles, and a .993 on-base percentage (OPS) this season, Acuña is the favorite to win the National League’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
Mookie Betts, 30, Aquino’s only real competition, also hit two home runs on the day to lead the Dodgers offense.
Betts is batting .317 with 38 home runs, 98 RBIs, 10 doubles, and a 1.033 OPS on the season.
He became the first player in the major leagues to join the 30-60 club, and will now look to add 40 home runs and 60 doubles to his resume.
Previously, Jose Canseco (1988), Barry Bonds (1996), Alex Rodriguez (1998), and Alfonso Soriano (2006) achieved the 40-homer, 40-steal mark.
However, 먹튀검증토토사이트 no 40-homer hitter has ever stolen 50 or more bases.