Eric Thames drug tested for second time in a week

Eric Thames hit his 11th home run of the season Tuesday night, setting a new Brewers record for most home runs in the month of April.

That might not be the only record-setting pace he’s on.

According to Adam McCalvy, Thames was drug tested once again after the game. It’s the second test he’s been told to take postgame in a little more than a week — he was also tested in Chicago last Monday, after making John Lackey scratch his head with an opposite field home run at Wrigley Field. Unlike the first test, which was reportedly just a urine test, the latest one took both a urine and a blood sample, which is used to test for human growth hormone.

As McCalvy and Tom Haudricourt note, since every player is tested in Spring Training, this is the third test Thames has taken this year. So far, none have come back positive.

For what it’s worth, Thames isn’t letting those doubting his early-season performance get to him:

The full transcription of the soundbite:

"This whole thing is surprising me as well. You know, I really had no goals for this year. I'm not trying to break any records or set anything, I just want to apply what I learned in Korea and see how I'd fare here. So, you know, I'm shocked at all the results. I'm just here to play ball and do my best to stay healthy and stretch as much as I can. So yeah, if people keep thinking I'm on stuff, I'll be here every day. I have lots of blood and urine, so..."

According to baseball’s Joint Drug Agreement, there is no limit to the amount of urine or blood tests a player can be subjected to during the season, so this probably won’t be the last time Thames will have a visitor at his locker after a game.

In the meantime, there are plenty of legitimate reasons for Thames’ hitting to start the year.

As it turns out, Thames wasn’t the only player asked to donate blood to the league — Travis Shaw was also tapped on the shoulder.

This probably won’t end anytime soon.