MLB Weekly Digest 9/11/17

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The previous week in MLB was about a slugger making history, a playoff contender losing a key member of their team and a player in the American League makes history.

Diamondbacks Martinez Becomes the 18^th Player in MLB History To Hit Four HRs in One Game

The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired outfielder J.D. Martinez before the July trade deadline, and he’s certainly been a force in their lineup.

Martinez made history earlier in the week by crushing four home runs in a road game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

He became the 18^th player in MLB history to hit four homers in a game, per MLB Stat of the Day.

.@JDMartinez14 is the 18th player in @MLB history, 1st in @dbacks history & 2nd this season (@Sgennett2) to hit 4 homers in a game. pic.twitter.com/GpoP2JWGIO

— MLB Stat of the Day (@MLBStatoftheDay) September 5, 2017

Martinez wasn’t the only player to accomplish the feat this year, as Cincinnati Reds utility player Scooter Gennett blasted four home runs against the St. Louis Cardinals in June.

The remarkable aspect of Martinez going on a home run binge is that he did so facing four different pitchers, which hasn’t happened since Joe Adcock on July 31, 1954, per Ryan M. Spaeder.

#Dbacks J.D. Martinez is the first player to homer off four different pitchers in a game since Joe Adcock on July 31, 1954.

— Ryan M. Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder) September 5, 2017

He’s also the first midseason acquisition to hit four home runs in a game since Pat Seery on July 18, 1948, mentions Spaeder.

#Dbacks J.D. Martinez is the first midseason acquisition with a four homer game since Pat Seery on July 18, 1948.

— Ryan M. Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder) September 5, 2017

The outfielder had a reputation for being a phenomenal hitter and has shown that in his time with the Diamondbacks. Martinez also received a letter from MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred congratulating him on the special game.

.@JDMartinez14 received a letter from @MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred congratulating him on his historic 4-homer game. pic.twitter.com/4p1CEftc4y

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) September 10, 2017

Brewers Lose Nelson for 2017 Season Due to Shoulder Injury

The Milwaukee Brewers are fighting for a playoff spot but will have to continue without an essential part of their pitching staff.

Jimmy Nelson is gone for the rest of the 2017 campaign with a right rotator cuff strain and partial anterior labrum tear.

.@Jimmy_J_Nelson will miss the remainder of the season with a right rotator cuff strain and partial anterior labrum tear.

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) September 9, 2017

The loss of Nelson is brutal as he has been one of the best starters for the club. The right-hander posted a 3.49 ERA in 175 1/3 innings (29 starts) with 199 K’s, 16 home runs yielded, a 10.2 K/9 and a 3.03 FIP.

The loss of a member of the starting rotation is tough, regardless of when it happens during the season, but the final month is the worst time for it to occur.

The Brewers did sweep the weekend series against the Chicago Cubs and sit just two games behind them in the National League Central, but taking over first place and maintaining a division lead until season’s end will be difficult without Nelson.

White Sox Abreu Hits Seventh Cycle in 2017

Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu became the seventh player in MLB this year to hit for the cycle, achieving the honor on Saturday against the San Francisco Giants.

It was career triple No. 11 that put Jose Abreu into the record books. #Cycle pic.twitter.com/w5pImV3IlQ

— MLB (@MLB) September 10, 2017

Abreu hit a homer in the first inning, he smoked a double in the third inning, then singled in the seventh and completed the cycle with a triple in the eighth inning.

He’s the sixth player in the team’s franchise to hit for the cycle and the first to do so since Jose Valentin in April 2000, per Christopher Kamka of CSN Chicago.

José Abreu: 6th cycle in #WhiteSox history, joining these others pic.twitter.com/x3iSNc2GpH

— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) September 10, 2017

Abreu joins Wil Myers, Trea Turner, Carlos Gomez, Nolan Arenado, Cody Bellinger, and Evan Longoria as other players who have hit for the cycle this year.

Abreu hit two more home runs on Sunday against the Giants, which gives him 31 on the season, including 91 RBIs and a .302 batting average.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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