Josh Willingham‘s power surge (two grand slams, eight RBI Monday night) made the Nationals the beneficiaries of some extra run production. But Washington wasn’t the only team that received an offensive jolt at the beginning of the work week.
Willingham became the first National League player in 10 years to hit two grand slams in one game — a feat accomplished only 12 other times in MLB history. The last Senior Circuit hitter to do so was Fernando Tatis, who, coincidently, hit a pinch-hit grand slam Monday night in the Mets’ 7-3 win over the Rockies. Tatis (.364, 8 HR, 93 RBI career with the bases loaded) has five hits with the sacks full this season. Two are grand slams.
Recommended Stories
Things became more bizarre as the night continued. Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano, who hadn’t hit a grand slam since 2006 — his only season in Washington — was 0-for-5 against the Astros when he stepped to the plate with the bases loaded in the 13th inning Monday night. Soriano (you guessed it) promptly hammered a walk-off slam to dead center field.
Meanwhile, in the American League, the Angels received consecutive homers from Juan Rivera, Kendry Morales and Mike Napoli in the second inning off Carl Pavano — and still managed to lose to the Indians, 8-6. We swear, we couldn’t make this stuff up if we tried.
