Trea Turner Hits Lead Off Home Run in Victory

Former NC State Shortstop Trea Turner took the first pitch of the game over the left field fence last night in the Nationals 7-3 comeback victory over the Braves.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dvq1rcoISM

Turner went 2 for 5, with a double and a home run, 1 RBI, and 2 runs. The Braves have been Turner’s playground, batting .408 with nine home runs and 24 RBIs against them in his career.

Trea now has 10 home runs on the season and 42 stolen bases, and we have to remember that he has only played 89 games this season.

The Nationals manager Dusty Baker compared Turner’s unique mix of power and speed to the legendary Hall of Famer Ricky Henderson after the game last night.

“That is Rickey Henderson-type stuff,” Baker said. “Rick was the best at that. You walk him or he gets a hit, it is like a double or a triple. If you throw it right there, he would leave the ballpark on you. That is quite a feat for him so young in his career. You have to have discipline to do that and get a good pitch to hit.” (MLB)

Turner appreciates the compliment, though he thinks he has a long ways to go.

“I have a lot of work to do, if that is the comparison,” Turner said. “He is kind of the player that I should strive to be, as a guy that can do everything. That is what I always said as I don’t want to be one-dimensional; I don’t want to just hit homers or have to walk or bunt to get on base. I want to be able to do it all and he is a good guy to emulate.”(MLB)