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For the second time this season, Trey Mancini hit two home runs in one game today. He was a player without a position going into spring training, but his willingness to learn the outfield (and the Orioles’ willingness to have subpar defenders out there) and his hot bat have earned him a place on the team for now. His bat is so hot, in fact, that other players want to give it a try.
With lefty J.A. Happ on the mound for the Blue Jays today, Mancini found himself in the lineup at his natural position of first base. Given his history of crushing left-handed pitching, Mancini has been in the lineup against lefties all year. But it wasn’t off of a lefty that Mancini hit his first home run. It was off Ryan Tepera, a three-run shot to give the Orioles a 4-0 lead.
In the eighth inning the Blue Jays brought in lefty Matt Dermody, making his first appearance of the season. Mancini greeted him very rudely indeed, crushing his second home run of the game.
Needless to say, @TreyMancini likes to crush! He ties @MLB record for most HRs in a player’s first 12 career games with his 7th blast. pic.twitter.com/WjIWxbR8RV
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) April 16, 2017
After that second blast a few other Orioles decided they wanted Mancini’s home run charms to rub off on them, and so in their next at bats both Craig Gentry and Manny Machado used one of Mancini’s bats.
Get this. After Mancini hit 2nd HR today in the 8th, Gentry and Machado also homered using his one of Mancini's bats. #Orioles
— Eduardo A. Encina (@EddieInTheYard) April 16, 2017
Gentry is not a home run hitter, he had just four in his career in over 1100 plate appearances until he hit his fifth today. His last home run came in 2013 off of Erik Bedard. But once he took Mancini’s bat into the batter’s box with him it was like he was a new man. His dinger wasn’t a cheap one, either. It landed in the second tier of seating in left field.
Machado, of course, is a home run hitter. But he has been mired in a season-long slump, coming into this game hitting just .171 (6-for-35) with one home run. His opposite field dinger hit with Mancini’s bat was a cheapie that hit the foul pole, but they all count the same in the box score.
Trey Mancini is swinging a bat so hot right now that it’s even working for other players. Maybe Mark Trumbo should try it next as last year’s home run champ is stuck on just one dinger for the season.