MIAMI -- Dodgers prospect Edwin Ríos put on a special performance in front of family and friends by hitting the first two homers of his Major League career in Wednesday's 9-1 win over the Marlins. Rios, who was drafted out of nearby Florida International University, had his uncle, fiancee and a few friends in attendance at Marlins Park.
"It was awesome, just hearing the fans when I was on deck yelling 'FIU,'" said Rios, the Dodgers' No. 19 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. "It was awesome just being home."
Playing in just his 14th big league game (fifth start), Rios became the first Dodger to hit his first two career homers in the same game since Cody Bellinger (2017).
The 25-year-old singled in his first at-bat before knocking a solo shot to straightaway center in the fourth and a two-run dinger to right in the sixth. All three hits came against Marlins right-hander Elieser Hernandez.
According to Statcast, Rios' homers combined to travel a projected 827 feet, with exit velocities over 102 mph. In both instances, the dugout gave him the silent treatment.
"It was nuts," Rios said. "Once I hit the first and saw it go, I just yelled. Just full of emotion and smiling. Happy I finally got it out of the way."
Rios' showing marked the 17th multihomer game by a Dodger this season, joining Alex Verdugo (June 22) and Will Smith (Tuesday) as L.A. rookies with multihomer contests in 2019.
What impressed Dodgers manager Dave Roberts most was the 12-pitch walk that Rios worked in the eighth inning.
"I love the homers, but to be honest with you, that at-bat, the walk, stood out most," Roberts said. "Swinging at strikes, taking balls -- and that guy had good stuff. And when you're chasing three homers, and to really stay in the at-bat and not try to do too much, take the walk, keep the line moving, I was really proud of him. That's something that we challenge him with, just conducting good at-bats, and the results will be there. And he's just taken it and run."