Riley Greene Makes MLB History with Two Ninth-Inning Home Runs

In a thrilling match on Friday, the Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene achieved an iconic milestone during the team’s decisive 9-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.

At just 24 years old, Greene etched his name into the record books as the first player in MLB history to hit two home runs during the ninth inning of a single game.

First Home Run Breaks the Tie

Greene’s first homer came at a critical moment in the game. With the score tied at 1-1, he faced Kenley Jansen, who delivered a cutter that Greene hit with precision. His 371-foot shot cleared the right field wall, giving the Tigers a 2-1 lead as the crowd erupted.

Building Momentum in the Ninth Inning

The celebration continued as teammate Colt Keith followed with a home run of his own, extending the lead to 3-1. Soon after, Javier Baez joined the fray with a two-run homer, pushing the score to 5-1.

As the Tigers maintained their offensive momentum, Greene stepped up to the plate once again in the ninth inning. By this time, the team’s lead had grown to 6-1.

A Change in Pitchers

Despite the score, this at-bat featured a different pitcher. Jake Eder replaced Jansen on the mound, but Greene remained unfazed. The pitching change did not hinder his performance, as he connected with Eder’s hanging sweeper.

Greene’s Historic Second Home Run

This time, Greene launched the ball 409 feet into the right-centerfield seats, securing a three-run homer and bringing the score to an impressive 9-1. It wasn’t until after the game that Greene fully realized the historic nature of his accomplishment.

“Yeah, I just found that out — pretty cool,” Greene commented in the postgame interview. “But the game is over. We got to show up tomorrow and try to win another baseball game.”

Joining the Ranks of Legends

Riley Greene’s achievement mirrors historical feats, as he became the first Tigers player to hit two home runs in a single inning since Magglio Ordonez did so against the Oakland Athletics on August 12, 2007. Notably, Al Kaline, a Hall of Famer, was the only other Tiger to accomplish this feat, having hit two homers in an inning on April 17, 1955.

Current Season Performance

On the season, Greene boasts a batting average of .262, complemented by six home runs and 16 RBIs over 31 games played. His performance continues to showcase why he is considered one of the promising players in Major League Baseball.

Upcoming Matchup Against the Angels

The Tigers, currently leading the American League with a 21-12 record, are set to face the struggling Angels, who have a 12-19 record, again on Saturday at 9:38 p.m. ET. As the season progresses, fans will be watching Greene’s journey closely, eager for more moments of brilliance on the field.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.