Josh Hamilton Ties Home Run Record: Texas Ranger Hits 4 Homers In One Game

BALTIMORE -- Josh Hamilton has become the 16th player in major league history to hit four home runs in a game.

Facing the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night, the Texas Rangers outfielder hit two-run homers in the first, third and seventh innings and added another in the eighth off of Darren O'Day to tie the major league record. He also doubled in the fifth, going 5 for 5 with a career-high eight RBI.

The 18 total bases is a new single-game American League record.

The last player to hit four home runs in a game was Carlos Delgado on Sept. 25, 2003, for Toronto against Tampa Bay.

Two of the 16 players to hit four homers in a game did it before 1900. Hamilton is the sixth AL player to perform the feat.

Hamilton leads the AL with 14 homers and 36 RBIs and is batting .406.

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Comments

[chiodo08]

08:29 AM on 05/11/2012

That junkie burnt the Rays for millions along with patience as well as robbing a very young franchise the much needed star he obviously turned out to be...he'll fall again...because he has weak character and even less self control....

[wkb2texans]

02:03 AM on 05/10/2012

I'm used to seeing the hate in other subject areas, but it's unusual to see such comments on ballplayer's accomplishments. Any fan who loves/appreciates the Game know what Hamilton did was special -- four 2-run homers against 3 different pitchers. Doesn't matter if you're a Ranger fan or not ... or it shouldn't.

[Jacob007]

10:30 PM on 05/09/2012

Put him on the box of Wheaties cereal.

[chiodo08]

08:30 AM on 05/11/2012

Wheaties doesn't "do" junkies

[efell]

08:33 AM on 05/11/2012

Zing. The guy is two shots of whisky away from becoming homeless. Too harsh?

[plclouse]

10:25 PM on 05/09/2012

Incidentally, I was impressed with Baltimore fans giving Josh the standing-O. That was classy. Naturally we were ecstatic down here in Texas but it was really nice that O's fans gave credit where its due. Greatness in baseball should be recognized, whoever your team might be.

Hat tip, Baltimore. Go Rangers!

[plclouse]

10:16 PM on 05/09/2012

Lot of people asking why they kept pitching to Josh. A fair question. However, the last 2 times Josh was intentionally walked, Beltre came up behind him and blasted multi-run homers. (In fact on Tuesday, Beltre followed one of Josh's 2-run homers with a solo homer.)

Andrus was already on first for all 4 homers. Had Josh been walked, that would have put 2 men on base with Beltre next in the lineup. Pitching around Josh to get to Beltre hasn't worked out real well for the opposing team lately. At least the O's picked up on that.

Fact is, there are no holes in the Texas lineup. Baltimore didn't really have much choice. An intentional walk would have brought up Beltre, and he usually makes pitchers pay dearly for it.

So, a 2-run homer or a 3-run homer, take your pick.

[wkb2texans]

01:58 AM on 05/10/2012

In addition, what manager thinks the guy's going to hit another homer ... particularly after the third one. Amazing!

[Prousa]

03:51 PM on 05/09/2012

Even the crowd gave him a standing O. That was cool.

[Darrion Beckles]

03:24 PM on 05/09/2012

The Rangers are the Buffalo Bills of baseball.

[MzTexas]

07:01 PM on 05/09/2012

Great post for a thread about Josh Hamilton's amazing performance last night. Not.

[Darrion Beckles]

07:07 PM on 05/09/2012

Thank you. You should follow me since you like replying to my posts so much. 

[Darrion Beckles]

03:21 PM on 05/09/2012

Its almost as good as this guy who score four touchdowns in a single game. I think his name was Alex Bundy or something like that.

[MzTexas]

07:02 PM on 05/09/2012

Really a sad person, aren't you?

[Darrion Beckles]

07:06 PM on 05/09/2012

Nah, I'm quite happy. You seem kind of down yourself. 

[Cellstrom]

02:07 PM on 05/09/2012

The natural. A joy to watch play. Love our hometown Raleigh native. Has there been a better left handed swing?

[plclouse]

10:31 PM on 05/09/2012

Thank you for being his birthplace, but he belongs to Texas now - and hopefully always will!

Josh is truly in a class all his own. As a lifelong Ranger fan, I never thought any player could win the hearts of Texans as much as Pudge did- but Josh has done it. He's simply amazing.

Nolan, Jon, I beg you- pay the man.

[Blackspeare]

11:45 AM on 05/09/2012

Letting a player hit four homers in a game is just poor management. The fact is after a player hits two homers and the next time he's up and the opportunity presents himself you walk him. If choose not to walk him and he hits a third homer, then the next time you walk him no matter what! In any event, it's too bad Hamilton didn't hit the fifth!

[iamfinch]

04:32 PM on 05/09/2012

Every one of his at bats had 2 people on the bases, do you really want to load them up by forcing the walk?

[Blackspeare]

05:34 PM on 05/09/2012

Well, then he hit a four bagger for 3 runs.

[billnbstn]

10:30 AM on 05/09/2012

Orange -----
Grapefruit -----
Cranberry -----
Prune -----
MLB -----

[FZliveson]

10:22 AM on 05/09/2012

His younger brother, Scott, was an excllent ice skater too.

[amicusceo]

10:06 AM on 05/09/2012

There must be a congressional investigation. He may be using steroids.

[MzTexas]

07:03 PM on 05/09/2012

Josh Hamilton, because of previous drug issues, is the most tested player in baseball. There is absolutely no way that he's on steroids.

[1dabut1]

09:59 AM on 05/09/2012

not to be a downer on a great night for Josh, but did anyone else notice all the empty seats. how are the o's making money. oh off the tax payers.

[cmann63]

10:22 AM on 05/09/2012

It is a shame that the Os have gone down so far for so long. I think their owner is among the worst in all of professional sports.

[kurr]

09:45 AM on 05/09/2012

Great job Josh!!