SAN DIEGO – Eric Hosmer hit a historic shot on Thursday night that made the San Diego Padres the first team in the majors to launch grand slams in four straight games.
The Padres beat the Texas Rangers 8-7 in the 10th inning to sweep a four-game, home-and-home series with a grand slam in every game.
Hosmer’s progress against Kyle Gibson with one out in the fifth inning jumped from the top of the right field wall and into the seats for a 5-2 lead. Austin Hedges, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado were on board for Hosmer’s third career slam and fifth homer this season.
Earlier this week, Tatis, Machado and Wil Myers hit big slams against the Rangers.
Hosmer said the slam region’s feel ‘incredible’.
“We talked about it for the game kind of, just how great three was in three games,” he said. “The situation came up and it’s not really what I thought of the game, but as soon as I got back to the dugout, I thought about it. Even better we came away with the win.”
Padres ‘Grand Slam kick-off began with Tatis’ drive Monday in Texas, when the 21-year-old star shortstop shot an opposite field at a 3-0 pitch with the Padres leading by seven runs in a game that they 14- wounded. 4. That angered the Rangers, and even Padres manager Jayce Tingler was not too happy at first, because Tatis missed a take-out before homing. The next day, Tingler said he was pleased with the result.
Myers hit a slam in a 6-4 win in Texas on Tuesday, and Machado tied in a 6-3 win on Wednesday.
The Padres’ slams in three straight games were the most in the major leagues since 2006 and the most in the NL since the Cleveland Spiders hit a grand slam in three in a row against the Boston Beaneaters in 1895.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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