Nelson Cruz blasts home run into the Rays Touch Tank in right center
Seattle Mariners outfielder Nelson Cruz has put on some pretty impressive power displays during his career. That’s been evident this season, as Cruz leads all of baseball with 18 home runs.
He showed off that pop Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays. With the game tied at 0-0 in the top of the ninth, Cruz stepped in against closer Brad Boxberger.
On the second pitch of the at-bat, Cruz belted a 91 mph fastball out to right center field. The ball traveled over the wall, and kept going, landing in the Rays Touch Tank. The water ball surprised the Mariners’ announcer, who exclaimed, “we have a floater here in Tampa Bay.”
The hit would wind up being the difference in the contest. Felix Hernandez returned for the bottom of the ninth, and picked up his second complete game shutout of the season. The Mariners wound up winning 3-0.
Throughout most of the start, Hernandez was matched by Chris Archer. The 26-year-old Archer tossed eight scoreless innings, giving up just two hits while striking out 12. He received the no-decision despite the excellent performance.
Archer was pulled with 95 pitches, setting the stage for the Mariners’ ninth inning rally. For Cruz, the blast was his only hit during the contest. He finished 1 for 4, with one run scored and three RBI. He struck out in two of his other plate appearances.
Despite his early struggles in the game, Cruz came through when it matters. The Mariners are finally starting to play like many predicted at the beginning of the season, and Cruz has been a major part of that.
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A few weeks ago, the Mariners chances at contention seemed waterlogged, but, instead of taking a dive, the team is starting to head toward the surface. All of those water-related puns can be applied to Cruz’s big blast.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
