Seattle Mariners Double-A infielder Hogan Windish delivered a performance for the ages last week for the Arkansas Travelers. Facing the Springfield Cardinals, Windish went 4-for-4, homered four times, walked once, and drove in nine runs, leading his team to a 9-4 victory.
The night began with a bang in the third inning when Windish launched a grand slam, setting the tone for his historic evening. He continued his power display with a two-run homer in the fifth, another two-run shot in the seventh, and capped it off with a solo blast in the ninth inning.
This incredible feat places Windish among an elite group of players who have homered four times in a single game, a mark achieved by only 16 major league players, including J.D. Martinez in 2017.
The all-time professional record of eight home runs in a game, set by Jay Clarke in 1902, remains highly disputed, but the list of those who have hit five homers in a game is much shorter and no less impressive.
Windish’s breakout performance was unexpected given his season statistics. Entering the game, the 25-year-old had been struggling, batting just .205 with three home runs and 19 RBIs in 58 games. His career stats, while respectable, did not hint at such an explosive potential.
Drafted in the seventh round by the Mariners in 2022 from UNC Greensboro, Windish’s career batting line of .263/.370/.451 with 27 home runs in 196 professional games suggests solid, but not extraordinary, power.
Yet, on this particular night, Windish could do no wrong. Each swing seemed destined for the seats, and each trip around the bases underscored his dominance.
This remarkable game not only provided a much-needed confidence boost for Windish but also showcased his potential to the Mariners organization and the broader baseball community.
Windish’s performance is a showing of the unpredictability and excitement of baseball. June 26, 2024, will be remembered as the night he reached the pinnacle of offensive prowess, achieving what nearly amounts to a perfect game as a batter.
