KANSAS CITY.— Dominican Junior Caminero continues to headline one of the most impressive offensive streaks of the season by hitting a home run for the sixth consecutive game, tying the Tampa Bay Rays franchise record during a 4-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
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Caminero wasted no time making his mark on the game. In the first inning, he punished the first pitch from starter Seth Lugo with a two-run home run to left field, a blast that traveled 425 feet, according to Statcast, and set Tampa Bay on the path to their seventh consecutive victory.
With this home run, the Dominican third baseman tied the record set by Carlos Peña between June 6 and June 12, 2010, also becoming the youngest player since 1900 to hit a home run in six consecutive games, surpassing the record held by Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., who achieved that feat at 23 years and 246 days old.
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“I am quite surprised. Ken Griffey Jr. is a Hall of Famer. For my name to remain alongside his is something incredible,” Caminero expressed after the game.
Rays manager Kevin Cash highlighted the impact the Dominican player has had within the team.
“It’s something incredible when you have 25 other players in the dugout who are practically in awe, along with the entire coaching staff. That means you’re doing some truly extraordinary things,” the manager stated.
Catcher Nick Fortes also praised the young slugger’s offensive momentum.
“There are times when you just get into a rhythm. But his ‘being in a rhythm’ is very different from most. He gets a pitch and he just doesn’t miss it,” he commented.
Over his last eight games, Caminero is batting .452, with nine home runs and 20 RBIs, the most home runs for a player 22 years old or younger in an eight-game span since modern records began.
In addition to his offensive explosion, the Dominican continues to show progress defensively at third base, participating in two double plays and making several quality plays during the victory.
With 24 home runs on the season and just days away from turning 23, Caminero will look to extend his historic streak and become just the seventh player in Major League Baseball history to hit a home run in seven consecutive games.
