The first month of the 2016 season has delivered plenty of thrills, particularly of the grand slam variety. Since the regular season began April 3, there have been 17 grand slams, including two Friday.
Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes delivered the latest Friday night in dramatic fashion. Making his return to the starting lineup, Cespedes clubbed a grand slam in the third inning against the Giants, lifting his club to a franchise-record 12-run frame and an eventual 13-1 victory.
"I'd like to say it was surprising," Mets catcher Kevin Plawecki said of his teammate's heroics," but it really wasn't."
Cespedes wasn't the only player to go deep with the bases loaded Friday. Cubs outfielder Matt Szczur sparked an eighth-inning rally with his first career grand slam, helping Chicago to a 6-1 win against the Braves.

With 17 grand slams through 340 games, that puts the Major Leagues on pace for 121 this season, which would be the most in a single season since 2009 (137). The record is 176, set in 2000.
This current pace would surpass last year's total of 108, and would be well beyond 2014's 84.
The 17 grand slams have come from 12 different clubs, with the Mets, Cubs, Red Sox, Astros and Nationals each contributing two. Bryce Harper is responsible for both of Washington's grand slams, the first and second such homers of his career.