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Scooter Gennett Has 4 Home Runs & 10 RBIs In Reds Win

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  • Scooter Gennett Has 4 Home Runs & 10 RBIs In Reds Win

    Scooter Gennett hits 4 home runs for Reds to tie MLB record

    CINCINNATI -- Cleats, pants, jersey, hat. Scooter Gennett peeled off his uniform -- the one still dripping from a douse of celebratory ice water -- and handed every piece to a clubhouse manager. All of them were headed to Cooperstown.

    All so hard to believe.

    The diminutive Cincinnati native put on the greatest home run show in franchise history Tuesday night. He tied a major league record with four homers -- becoming the 17th player to accomplish the feat -- and matched the club mark by driving in 10 runs during a 13-1 victory over the slumping St. Louis Cardinals.

    Kluszewski. Robinson. Bench. Perez. Junior. None of them ever hit four in a game.

    They can all scooter on down the list.

    "It's surreal, man. It really is," Gennett said, wearing a backup set of clothes after the others were whisked away. "I'm truly blessed. I'm from here, born here. Watching all those guys play when I was little. And to do something that's never been done -- I can't put words on it."

    He wasn't the only one nearly speechless. No major leaguer had ever had five hits, four homers and 10 RBI in a game, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Gennett's 17 total bases also were a team record.

    "He had a career night, a great night," said Adam Wainwright, who gave up Gennett's second career grand slam. "Guys do that now and then. He almost beat us by himself tonight."

    Gennett was the most unlikely player on the roster to turn into an historic slugger.

    The 5-foot-10, 185-pound infielder was claimed off waivers from Milwaukee late in spring training for a utility role. Some seasons, he barely hit four homers at all -- he reached double digits only once and had 38 in his career heading into the game.

    Four homers? Unthinkable.

    The 27-year-old Gennett singled his first time up and then homered in four straight at-bats . He joined the Cardinals' Mark Whiten as the only players with a grand slam among four homers in a game, according to Elias. Whiten did it in 1993 at the Reds' old riverfront ballpark, driving in 12 runs that stand as the major league record.

    "It's amazing, especially since he's not an everyday player for us," manager Bryan Price said. "He's got power, but four homers in one game? I don't know what to tell you.

    "It's very emotional. It was an honor to witness that."

    Gennett snapped an 0-for-19 slump during the Reds' 4-2 win over the Cardinals on Monday. He went 5 for 5 on Tuesday and raised his batting average 32 points to .302.

    Gennett got his big night started with an RBI single off Wainwright (6-4), who brought a long scoreless streak into the game but couldn't handle a team that has hit him like no other. He lasted only 3 2/3 innings and gave up nine runs for just the third time in his career.

    The last time? Also against Cincinnati in 2013.

    Gennett's grand slam in his next at-bat was the first Wainwright had allowed since 2012. Gennett then connected for a solo shot and a two-run homer off John Gant.

    With the crowd of 18,620 on its feet, Gennett hit a two-run drive in the eighth off John Brebbia for a place in history and his second curtain call.

    "I was kind of laughing, to be honest with you," Gennett said. "For a guy like me to do that is crazy -- a little short of a miracle."
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