Mark Reynolds launched a pitch deep into the Cleveland night on Monday, sending a fifth-inning blast three rows shy of the top of the left-field bleachers. The jaw-dropping display of power highlighted a four-homer attack that propelled the Indians to a 7-3 victory over the A’s in the opener of a four-game series.
“As long as it hits the seats, I’m happy,” manager Terry Francona said.
Ubaldo Jimenez gave the Tribe a solid effort on the mound and shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera belted a pair of home runs, but it was Reynolds’ shot that stood out. The blast, off A’s starter Jarrod Parker, was measured at 460 feet, but it might as well have been a mile. Reynolds admired his work for a moment, taking a few slow steps out of the batter’s box before shifting into a trot.
Down the tunnel, inside a video room, second baseman Jason Kipnis could not believe where Reynolds’ home run landed.
“I almost fell out of my chair in there,” said Kipnis. “I wanted to jump up to go run out there, and the chair almost gave way. I almost tipped over in there. I immediately ran out there. I’ve never seen people put them up there.”
The home run was Reynolds’ American League-leading 10th and moved the Indians’ season total through 29 games to 44, which also paces the Junior Circuit. Last season the Indians did not reach 44 home runs until their 55th game (June 6). They have only had one player (Albert Belle in 1995) finish as the AL’s leading home run hitter in the past 53 years.
But there’s still a long way to go this season, and that’s why Reynolds was not about to get too caught up in the moment.
“They all count. First row, back row, whatever,” Reynolds said. “It’s just a homer, guys.”
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