Framing the Friars: Renfroe Sets New Franchise Rookie Home Run Record, Then Sets it Again
San Diego, California
Records were broken, and one more was tied, during the San Diego Padres’ series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks on September 20.
Arizona won the game 13-7 and avoided the sweep, after the Padres won the first two games in the series.
Hunter Renfroe hit three home runs. His first dinger set a new franchise record for home runs in a season. His third blast tied Nate Colbert’s record for home runs hit in one season by a rookie.
The three home runs hit by Renfroe were part of nine home runs hit for the game. Nine home runs in a game is a new Petco Park record. Five of those home runs were hit by the Padres.
The franchise record for home runs hit in a season was at 177 when this game started. That record was set last season. Before tonight’s game, the 2017 Padres were sitting at 176 home runs.
Rocky Gale tied the record in the bottom of the second inning. Gale hit his first career MLB home run. Coming into this game, Gale had a .100 batting average. He was 1-for-10 during short stint with the Padres in 2015.
Gale hit a pitch from Arizona starter Robbie Ray. The ball traveled along the left field line clearing the wall, landing in the lowest deck of the Western Metal Supply building.
It’s no secret that a milestone home run gets a player excited. However, Gale made it visibly known, sporting a huge grin while he rounded the bases.
There is always your first time…
Congratulations, Rocky Gale! #ARZvsSD pic.twitter.com/9BUIRiOrsg— John Silva (@JohnnySilva619) September 21, 2017
Gale’s home run tied the game at 2-2. Before his dinger, Christian Villanueva hot his first MLB hit. He hit a grounder up the middle that found its way into center field.
Renfroe set a new mark with a 2-run shot in the bottom of the third. That bomb gave the Padres 168 for the season.
Hunter Renfroe drilled a two-run homer to left. The Padres are up to 178 home runs, a new single-season franchise record.
— Dennis Lin (@sdutdennislin) September 21, 2017
What’s better than hitting a home run in a game? Hitting two home runs, of course. Renfroe hit another long ball in the bottom of the fifth, extending the lead to 5-2. It was Renfroe’s 23rd home run of the season. He needs one more to tie the franchise rookie home run record, set by Nate Colbert in 1969.
Since we’re on the topic of career firsts, Villanueva hit his first career home run, to go along with his first MLB hit. It happened in the fifth inning of Diamondbacks reliever J.J. Hoover.
Villanueva knew the ball was gone as soon as it went off his bat. He stood at the plate to watch it, and showed a slight grin, as he admired it.
This is @Villa_at_3B‘s ? and we’re just livin’ in it pic.twitter.com/7yAjr0s4L7
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 21, 2017
Christian Villanueva (1) off RHP J.J. Hoover (6) – 104.2 mph, 24 degrees (426 ft Home Run)
84.1 mph Slider#Dbacks @ #Padres (B5) pic.twitter.com/C260Yrf2YR— MLBBarrelAlert (@MLBBarrelAlert) September 21, 2017
Renfroe hit one more in the bottom of the ninth. It’s his 24th of the season, tying Colbert’s rookie home run record. With 10 games left in the season, that record could be broken.
Along with this being the series finale, it also was the series finale against the Diamondbacks. The Padres were 8-11 against Arizona this season.
This also was the final home stand of the season. The Padres have four games against the Colorado Rockies coming up, Sep. 21-24. These are the last four games at Petco Park in 2017.
Mike is the sports editor for the Fayette Advertiser, and has been with East Village Times since 2015. His work has appeared on Bleacher Report. He is an avid Padres fan who is keeping the faith and trusting the process.