Morales sets Blue Jays record with HR in 7th straight game

TORONTO, ON- AUGUST 24 - Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Kendrys Morales (8) crosses home plate after hitting a home run as the Toronto Blue Jays play the Philadelphia Phillies during Players Weekend, where platers wear their nicknames and a patch with a handwritten thank you at Rogers Centre in Toronto. August 24, 2018. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
Steve Russell / Toronto Star / Getty

Kendrys Morales set a new Toronto Blue Jays franchise record by homering in his seventh consecutive game on Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Morales' streak is the longest in Major League Baseball this season, passing St. Louis Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter, who homered in six consecutive games in July. He's also the first player since former Texas Rangers outfielder Kevin Mench (2006) to go deep in seven straight.

Only three players in MLB history have ever homered in eight straight games: Ken Griffey Jr. (1993), Don Mattingly (1987), and Dale Long (1956). No one has done so in nine or more. Morales will get his shot to join the illustrious group on Monday when the Blue Jays take on the Orioles in Baltimore.

Morales had tied the Blue Jays record on Saturday, matching the previous mark set by Jose Cruz Jr. in 2001. Overall, he's smashed eight long balls in his powerful seven-game stretch. Prior to his record-setting onslaught, Morales had only gone deep twice in 26 games after the All-Star break.

One of his bats will soon be heading to Cooperstown, immortalizing the streak in baseball's Hall of Fame, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.

"I'm really happy they want my bat. It's amazing what I've been doing so far. It's emotionally really nice," Morales said through interpreter Josue Peley.

The 35-year-old Morales, who's nearing the end his second season in Toronto, has 21 home runs in 108 games in 2018.

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