ARLINGTON -- Toronto is off to a flying start with the long ball. On Friday night, Yangervis Solarte and Russell Martin went back to back in the sixth inning off of Rangers reliever Jesse Chavez. It was the second home run of the season for both players.
Solarte's shot came with two outs and no one on base. Martin followed two pitches later. The Blue Jays came into the inning leading, 6-0, and went on to win, 8-5.
Solarte's shot was especially spectacular. It was his longest (459 feet) and hardest-hit (113.1 mph exit velocity) home run since Statcast™ was introduced in 2015. It is the second-hardest-hit home run in Jays' history, trailing Josh Donaldson's home run with 113.5 mph exit velocity on Sept. 17. Both of Solarte's home runs this season have travelled at least 450 feet. Only four other home runs of at least 450 feet have been hit this season.

"He's got some big-time pop," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said of Solarte. "He takes a rip. He's off to a good start."
The skipper was particularly pleased to score early.
"We swung the bats. It put the pressure on [Texas] early. We got some big, big hits."
Martin also noted the offensive approach.
"[Matt Moore] looked like he was having trouble getting the ball over. We were patient and made him throw strikes."
Toronto has hit 12 home runs in eight games, including at least one big fly in seven of those games.