Stanton impresses with prodigious home runs
MIAMI -- Each Giancarlo Stanton swing is an opportunity for another treat. On Friday night, the Marlins' two-time All-Star put on another must-see power display.
Stanton struck not once, but twice on impressive home runs that measured a combined 874 feet. As tracked by Statcast™, the first shot sailed 400 feet, and the second blast -- which landed in the center field camera well -- was tracked at 474 feet.
The downside for the 25-year-old is both came in a 5-3 loss to the Braves at Marlins Park.
Video: Must C Crushed: Stanton lifts two monster home runs
But Stanton is in one of his home run binges. He clobbered a 475-foot shot on Tuesday that sailed out of Dodger Stadium.
Stanton now has the third and fourth farthest home runs as tracked by Statcast™. Nelson Cruz (483) and Josh Donaldson (481) rank ahead of Stanton, who had his 474-foot drive on Friday surpass Alex Rodriguez (471) for the fourth spot.
"Like I've said, this guy can hit the ball a long ways," Miami manager Mike Redmond said. "It's impressive. Every home run that he hits is a little different than the one before. You saw that tonight. He hit a ball about as high as you can hit it, and you saw a laser beam to center."
Video: ATL@MIA: Stanton hits a towering homer to left
The first drive came in the third inning off Julio Teheran, and it went to left. The ball was so high, Redmond thought it was going to hit the Marlins Park ceiling. Statcast™ tracked the exit velocity at 108 mph.
The second drive was the jaw-dropper. It came in the seventh inning off Cody Martin. The ball was blistered to center, and was tracked by Statcast™ to have an exit velocity of 113 mph.
Stanton has placed the ball in the camera well before, but only in batting practice.
Video: ATL@MIA: Cameraman on Stanton's homer through well
"Just not on a line drive like that," Stanton said.
The cameraman held up the ball, which gave Stanton 14 career multi-homer games.
Stanton now has 10 homers on the season, and three in three games.
"I'm more comfortable," he said. "Not watching [hittable pitches] as much as I was. Sitting back a little bit more."
Stanton was 3-for-25 with one homer against Teheran before his first blast of the night.
"It's a real battle," Teheran said. "He's a good hitter. So you've got to be careful with him. If you make a mistake, he will make you pay for it."
The disappointment for Miami was the final score.
"We just didn't get it done," Stanton said. "Just couldn't pull it out. They kept pushing all the way to the end. We lost. So they mean nothing now."