The Major League Baseball season is here and we have our Longest Home Run of the season hit by Baltimore Orioles' Manny Machado.
Inside the numbers
24-year-old Manny Machado, who hit 37 home runs in 2016, has 4 home runs now to his 2017 numbers. Even though he's hitting a lower average than he's accustomed to, hitting just .205 through 75 at-bats, Machado sent this ball way back. In that stadium, there is a standing room only section that is way up there in height, and Machado almost hit that ball into their laps. Machado also had a two-run double and single in this game.
The numbers on this ball were just astonishing. Machado's strength on this hit was on full display. The exit velocity off of his bat was at 114 mph, the ball hit a peak of 88 feet in the air, and of course, it went the longest of the season at 470 feet.
Game recap
Machado's home run put the Orioles up 5-0, but that score would not last long. The Orioles pushed their lead even further, and after a Mark Trumbo grand slam, they would get up 9-1 in the 6th inning. This is when all hell would break loose. The Yankees would push back and in the bottom of the 7th, Jacoby Ellsbury hit a grand slam to make it an Orioles lead of 11-8. The Yankees tied it at 11 in the bottom of the 9th, and in the bottom of the 10th, it was only fitting that Matt Holliday would hit a 3-run homer to give the Yankees the win.
Sometimes even a 9-1 lead isn't enough in baseball.
Manny Machado 470 feet! Longest home run hit this year pic.twitter.com/yRYvxxIwo7
— Daily Dingers (@BCNDailyDingers) April 29, 2017
Luckily for Baltimore, they still are tied with the Yankees atop the AL East. Both teams sit at 14-7, while the Red Sox sit in third at 2.5 games back.
Even though the loss hurts a bit, the Orioles are off to a great start to the season. Through their first 20 games of the season, 14 wins are their highest total as a franchise. That may not feel nearly as good after their 21st game, but it still speaks volumes to how well the Orioles are playing.
The Orioles have two more head to head games against the Yankees this weekend.
If they can steal the 3-game series, they'll have sole position of first place through the early parts of the season. After their stop in New York, they'll travel to Boston for a 4-game road trip against the Red Sox. It's a very crucial time for Baltimore. It's a time that they can solidify themselves in the division, and then head back home for a 3-game series against the White Sox. hopefully, next time they go up 9-1 in a game they'll close out the game without allowing a massive comeback.
