Murphy sizzling with homer in 5th straight game
Daniel Murphy boosted his market value and the New York Mets' pennant odds with another big swing. Again.
The Mets second baseman continued his improbable postseason tear Tuesday by homering in his fifth straight game, tying Carlos Beltran's major-league record and helping the Mets take a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Chicago Cubs in the NLCS.
Murphy's historic blast came on a 2-1 pitch from Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks, which he deposited into the bleachers in right-center with two outs in the third inning. The 406-foot solo shot gives Murphy six homers this postseason, breaking Mike Piazza's franchise playoff record.
(Courtesy: MLB.com)
Murphy, who went deep a career-high 14 times this season, has now homered off Hendricks, Jon Lester, three-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw (twice), and Cy Young candidates Zack Greinke and Jake Arrieta during his incredible postseason run.
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The 30-year-old infielder added a pair of runs in the Mets' 5-2 win in Game 3, and is now batting a scorching .417/.462/1.167 this series.
Murphy's record-setting pace has him in prime position to cash in this winter when he becomes a free agent for the first time in his career. The Mets' 13th-round pick in the 2006 draft is eligible to receive a $15.8-million qualifying offer following the conclusion of the World Series.