Reds rookie Aquino ties Trevor Story's MLB record after 3-HR game
Cincinnati Reds rookie Aristides Aquino had his way with the Chicago Cubs on Saturday during a three-homer performance that helped him tie a major-league record.
"The Punisher" homered in three consecutive innings, and he tied Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story's MLB record with seven home runs in the first 10 games of his career.
"I think that the key tonight was to select good pitches and enjoy the game. Glory to God. What is coming is good with God ahead," Aquino said postgame, according to Deportivo Z 101's Hector Gomez.
Aquino hit a leadoff 344-foot blast in the second inning off Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks. That long ball was the 25-year-old's fifth over his first 10 games, which also set a Reds franchise record.
An inning later, the Dominican extended his record with a drive to left field, his second of the game off Hendricks.
During the fourth, Aquino sent a 96-mph fastball from Dillon Maples over the visitor's bullpen in left-center field. The ball traveled an estimated 452 feet, according to Statcast.
With his third blast, Aquino tied Bobby Estalella for the fewest career games to record a three-homer performance in MLB history, according to Stats by STATS. Estalella accomplished the feat with the Philadelphia Phillies on Sept 4, 1997.
Aquino also became the 29th player in Reds history to notch a three-homer game. Derek Dietrich posted one earlier this season.
The slugger received two opportunities to become the first Reds player to hit four home runs in a game since Scooter Gennett in 2017, but he was issued a four-pitch walk in the sixth and struck out swinging in the seventh.
Aquino, who the Reds non-tendered in December before re-signing him to a minor-league deal, is hitting .464/.500/1.250 since making his 2019 debut on Aug. 1 after Cincinnati traded Yasiel Puig to the Cleveland Indians.
"I'm very proud to belong to the Cincinnati Reds. I appreciate the opportunity that the Reds are giving me," Aquino said. "Reds fans are the best in the world. It is a great honor to play for them and for this great team. I can not ask for more."