Green gives Rainiers another home run trifecta
Less than 48 hours after Triple-A Tacoma's Brian O'Keefe delivered a three-homer feat, Zach Green also hit that trifecta for the first time. The 28-year-old plated seven runs with his three long balls, powering the Rainiers to an 11-4 victory over the Aces in Reno. It marked the first time
Less than 48 hours after Triple-A Tacoma's Brian O'Keefe delivered a three-homer feat, Zach Green also hit that trifecta for the first time.
The 28-year-old plated seven runs with his three long balls, powering the Rainiers to an 11-4 victory over the Aces in Reno. It marked the first time the Rainiers plated seven runs since Chris Herrmann on April 18, 2018 vs. Albuquerque.
"Any time you can be the guy that's winning the game, it's pretty cool," said Green.
When Brian O'Keefe had Tacoma's first 3-HR game in over 7 years Saturday, it was the first for the Rainiers since 6/27/15, Justin Ruggiano, also at home vs. El Paso.
— Paul Braverman (@PaulBraverman) July 5, 2022
O'Keefe enjoyed it for fewer than 48 hours, after Zach Green goes yard 3x in 4 innings tonight at Reno. #Mariners https://t.co/BoqE1tfncg
Coming into his first at-bat against lefty Tommy Henry in the first inning, the Mariners' first-base prospect said he was just looking for a good pitch to hit. He promptly cranked a two-run opposite-field homer to right.
So when Green stepped up to the plate the next frame against the No. 13 D-backs prospect, he was ready.
"I was thinking to myself, "Hey, he probably won't give you the same pitch, but he has a good fastball and he's going to use it, so be ready for it," the 2012 third-round pick said.
Green then delivered a nearly identical two-run long ball to right.
By the fourth, the California native admitted he "didn't want to get too greedy." In a 2-2 count and looking to avoid a strikeout against Henry, Green pulled a homer to left.
The feat came only two days after catcher Brian O'Keefe racked up three homers for Tacoma on July 2. Until Saturday, the last time a Rainiers player had a three-homer game was on June 27, 2015, when Justin Ruggiano accomplished the feat at home vs. El Paso. Green admitted he was inspired by O'Keefe's effort.
"In my opinion, hitting is contagious," Green said. "So when you have guys who can work the count and drive the ball, I think everyone else just feeds on that. When Keefe's going good, I want part of it too."
Although his own milestone lacked the dramatics of O'Keefe's walk-off in extra innings, Green got to provide some fireworks on Independence Day.