Kody Clemens went off like a rocket three times Thursday night. Not "The Rocket," mind you. Just a garden-variety home run machine.
The son of Roger Clemens launched three homers totaling 1,225 feet en route to Triple-A Lehigh Valley's 17-6 win over Rochester at Innovative Field. The 27-year-old has seven homers in nine games this month as he seeks a return visit to Philadelphia.
Through six plate appearances, Clemens stuffed the stat sheet with four hits, five RBIs, four runs and 14 total bases in the first three-homer game of his pro career.
“I don’t think I’ve ever done that before … not even in college,” the former Texas Longhorn said. “It felt awesome. I saw the ball well and had some good swings. It was a great night for sure.”
The trio of home runs weren’t exactly wall scrapers. Clemens started off the game by launching a 1-0 pitch from Nationals righty Roddery Muñoz 413 feet over the fence in right-center.
That's pretty much where Clemens' second homer of the game went in the fourth on a 2-1 pitch against righty reliever Malvin Pena, sailing 413 feet before smacking the wall behind the home bullpen.
Clemens got to Pena again on a 2-0 pitch the following inning, sending his 10th homer of the season for the IronPigs 399 feet.
Despite the impressive power display, the Tigers' 2018 third-rounder noted he wasn’t simply swinging for the fences.
“I’m just trying to have quality at-bats,” Clemens said. “That’s really my mindset right now. I’m just trying to put in the work, trust the process and not be so result-oriented.
“I’m just trying to see the ball well and remain disciplined at the plate. My hope is to put a good swing on the ball, and it’s been working out. I’ve been getting some barrels.”
The lefty slugger spent most of the season with the Phillies, batting .230 with four home runs across 139 at-bats, but he could earn another promotion if he continues to swing a hot bat. For now, Clemens is focused on helping the IronPigs, who he believes boasts as dangerous a lineup as any in Triple-A.
“This team can hit for sure,” Clemens said. “Everybody in the lineup is putting together good at-bats. We're hitting the baseball really well right now. It's pretty fun to keep hitting around. It's crazy when you're going into the eighth inning and you already have five at-bats under your belt. It’s been a lot of fun.”
Joining Clemens in Thursday's home run party was Darick Hall, who went 5-for-6 with two mammoth home runs and five RBIs. The team scored in every inning and the IronPigs' 23 hits set a franchise record for a single game.
“It’s nice to see the guys hit line drives throughout the game,” Clemens said. “It gives you a little bit of juice and rubs off on you and your teammates.”
Jalyn Smoot is a reporter/producer for MLB.com.