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Someone forgot to tell Ryan Braun that it's difficult to hit home runs at Petco Park.
He tied the game at 1 in the fourth inning with a long solo blast to the sandbox in right center, then one-upped himself with a two run shot in the fifth that reached the top level of the Western Metal Supply Company building down the left field line. The Padres are saying the two balls traveled a combined 835 feet. Then in the seventh he struck again, dropping another solo shot just past the fence in left.
The homers were the 166th, 167th and 168th of Braun's career, and it's his 13th multi-homer game. This is the 18th time in franchise history a player has hit three home runs in a game, and the first time Braun has done it. It was also the first three homer game in Petco Park history.
Braun's ninth inning triple gave him 15 total bases in the game, setting a new franchise record:
Player | Date | Line | Total Bases |
Ryan Braun | April 30, 2012 | 4-for-5, 3 HR, 3B | 15 |
Richie Sexson | April 25, 2003 | 4-for-5, 3 HR, 2B | 14 |
Fernando Vina | September 12, 1996 | 5-for-6, 2 HR, 3B | 13 |
Paul Molitor | May 12, 1982 | 4-for-5, 3 HR | 13 |
Meanwhile, Braun moves into sole possession of seventh place on the Brewer all-time list for multi-homer games:
Hitter | Seasons | Multi-HR games |
Prince Fielder | 2006-11 | 22 |
Gorman Thomas | 1978-82 | 19 |
Robin Yount | 1978-89 | 14 |
Greg Vaughn | 1989-96 | 14 |
Cecil Cooper | 1978-86 | 14 |
Jeromy Burnitz | 1997-01 | 14 |
Ryan Braun | 2007-present | 13 |
Of the players on that list, Fielder, Cooper and Burnitz and now Braun all had at least one three homer game.