Watch Andrew Benintendi Hit His First Career Major-League Home Run
BOSTON (CBS) -- Andrew Benintendi's strong offensive start to his major league continued Sunday at Comerica Park against the Detroit Tigers, as he added his first career home run and triple to his stat line in the Red Sox' 10-5 loss.
Facing Tigers reliever Shane Greene in the top of the seventh inning, Benintendi pulled a cutter on the inside corner out to right field for his first career homer. Benintendi told reporters after the game that his priority after hitting the home run was to get his trot around the bases done as soon as possible.
"I thought [the home run ball] had a chance when I hit it, and once I saw [Tigers right fielder] J.D. [Martinez] stop running, I knew then," said Benintendi. "I was just trying to make sure I ran fast enough, because it's my first one, obviously."
Speaking of rounding the bases quickly, Benintendi's home run was a follow-up to his first career triple, which came in the previous inning off Tigers starter Justin Verlander. Benintendi hit a sharp ground ball to the right side that rolled all the way to the outfield wall and hustled all the way around to get to third base standing up.
Overall, Benintendi is slashing .322/.375/.492 with one homer and nine RBIs in 18 games since getting the call to the major leagues.