Profar is youngest to hit pinch-hit, walk-off homer
ARLINGTON -- Jurickson Profar's pinch-hit walk-off home run made history on Thursday night. Profar was pinch-hitting in the designated-hitter spot when he led off the ninth inning with a game-winning home run for the Rangers against Angels reliever Michael Kohn.
Profar is the youngest player in Major League history to hit a walk-off home run as a pinch-hitter. The only other player to do it as a pinch-hitter before his 21st birthday was Jimmie Foxx for the Athletics on May 14, 1928. Foxx was pinch-hitting for Mickey Cochrane, and both are now in the Hall of Fame.
The Rangers' 6-5 victory marked their fourth consecutive victory against the Angels at the Ballpark in Arlington that ended with a walk-off home run. That's also something that has never been done in Major League history: one team beating another in four straight home games on walk-off home runs.
"To see Profar do that, it's an awesome sight and awesome feeling," catcher A.J. Pierzynski said.
The home run came on only Profar's second at-bat in the previous eight games. His last start was on Sept. 18 against the Rays. He has started nine games in September as opposed to 25 in August. Profar is planning to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic to help offset playing time lost while serving as the Rangers' utility infielder for much of the season.
Profar went into Friday's game hitting .235 with 30 runs scored, six home runs and 26 RBIs in 84 games. He had a .309 on-base percentage and a .337 slugging percentage. He did so while starting 29 games at second, 16 each at shortstop and designated hitter, 10 at third and four in left field.
"What he's been through wasn't unexpected," manager Ron Washington said. "If he had excelled, I would have been as surprised as anyone. Even with his struggles he has been a big part of where we are. He has to grow from it. He'll be a better player for it. He's a 20-year-old in a utility role. You've got veteran guys with years in the game who have trouble in that role. He has been invaluable, and down the road it will pay off."