Yasmani Grandal makes history with homers in first start

DENVER -- Yasmani Grandal, called up Saturday afternoon from Triple-A Tucscon, made his first career start one for the ages.

Grandal, a 23-year-old rookie acquired by the Padres from the Reds this past offseason, is the first player in MLB history to have his first two career hits as homers from opposite sides of the plate in the same game, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

Grandal is the sixth player since 1974 with a multi-homer game in his first big league start, also according to Elias. He is the fourth player in Padres history to homer from both sides of the plate in the same game, and the ninth to homer for his first Major League hit.

It all adds up to a night Grandal will never forget, and it was all the better with the Padres beating the Rockies, 8-4.

"I can't describe how remarkable it is," Grandal said.

The Padres are still looking for the second homer Grandal launched into the left-field seats in the sixth inning, but when they find it they expect the Hall of Fame to make a request.

"I'll give them whatever they ask for," Grandal said.

And if they choose another memento, like his bat, Grandal has a good idea as to where the balls will go.

"Yeah, that's gonna be up there in my trophy case," he said.

It was a slightly ominous sign that gave Grandal reason to believe he was locked in, and one that would put most players in pain.

"The first pitch of the game, the ball popped off my foot," he said. "I had never done that from the left side, but I knew then that my swing would be good. And sure enough ..."


(mlb.com)