Power has never been an issue for Kerry Carpenter, as the ISO was often over .300 in the minors. In 2022, Carpenter mashed 30 home runs in 400 plate appearances.
The power translated to the majors, as he hit 20 home runs during his rookie season in 459 plate appearances. Carpenter hit 18 last season, but he only racked up 296 plate appearances due to injury.
This season, Carpenter played in 55 of 60 games, mashing 10 home runs in 210 plate appearances.
On Monday, he flexed his muscles like he’s never flexed them before. In his young career, Carpenter hit two home runs in a game six times. He’s now done it seven times, except he didn’t stop at two. No, sir. He did one better to finish with three home runs on the night.
A player has now hit at least three home runs in a game 676 times in MLB history, which includes 17 instances with four home runs.
In the top of the first inning, Carpenter took a cutter for a ball. He took another cutter for a strike. Then Jonathan Cannon threw a changeup down the heart of the plate, which Carpenter deposited into the right field seats for a two-run home run.
In the top of the fourth inning, Carpenter stepped up to the plate with a man on again. He took the first two pitches for balls. He then fouled off two sinkers before depositing an 87 mph cutter over the right field fence for another two-run blast.
In the sixth inning, with the Tigers up 9-0, Carpenter took two pitches way inside. He then got a 92 mph fastball, middle-away, and deposited it 398 feet over the right-center wall.
Carpenter came up in the eighth inning for a chance to make history, but saw two changeups, popping up the second one to center.
Still, not a bad day’s work at the office for Carpenter.
