Riley Greene didn’t step into the batter’s box in the ninth inning chasing records. He simply wanted to win. But what followed was a moment etched in baseball history — and a performance that left Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch praising his young outfielder’s relentless mindset.
In a stunning 9-1 victory over theLos Angeles Angels on Friday night, Greene launched two home runs in the ninth inning, becoming the first player in AL/NL history to achieve such a feat in that frame. His solo shot off Kenley Jansen broke a 1-1 tie. His second, a three-run blast off Jake Eder, capped an eight-run explosion that overwhelmed Los Angeles and redefined the narrative of the game.
“I was just thinking, ‘Win the baseball game,’” Greene said postgame according to MLB.com. “That was the only thing on my mind.” But while he played it cool, the baseball world took notice. And so did his manager.
Tigers manager’s pride
“This was a huge night for him,” said A.J. Hinch, visibly pleased with Greene’s breakout. “He’s made an All-Star team. He’s been in the middle of the order. He gets the toughest matchups. And he asks for more.”
Greene’s achievement puts him in elite company — only 62 players in MLB history have homered twice in the same inning, but none had done it in the ninth until now. It’s a testament to both his raw ability and his mental resilience. After a recent 1-for-32 slump, Greene rebounded in emphatic fashion, collecting his second multi-homer game in five days.
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Green’s message: ‘We have to show up tomorrow’
Despite the historic flair, both Greene and Hinch kept their eyes forward. “It’s cool,” Greene said of the record, “but we have to show up tomorrow and try to win another baseball game.”
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The Tigers now find themselves surging with momentum, fueled by Greene’s resurgence and a batting order that’s suddenly clicking. Whether or not this marks the start of a defining run remains to be seen — but one thing is certain: Riley Greene just made history, and he’s not done yet.
