CHICAGO — Jake Meyers reflected on his performance, calling it his most memorable moment at the plate. Neither in the major leagues, the minors, nor during his three seasons with the University of Nebraska could he recall a comparable game.
“It doesn’t seem like I’ve ever had a game like this one,” Meyers remarked with a smile. “It’s pretty amazing.”
Meyers put on a spectacular show as he belted two home runs, amassing an impressive seven RBIs in the Houston Astros’ 8-3 triumph over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday. Positioned ninth in the batting order, he achieved a perfect 4-for-4 and crossed home plate three times, equating a franchise record with a remarkable 13 total bases.
At age 28, Meyers, who kicked off the day holding a .262 batting average, had yet to record a home run and had accumulated just six RBIs over his 30 games this season.
“Jake had one phenomenal day,” said manager Joe Espada. “He capitalized on the good pitches he encountered and didn’t let any slip by.”
Joe Espada further added, “Jake was really in the zone today. He works diligently, and although he sometimes struggles with missing fastballs, today was his day to shine.”
Meyers set personal highs last season with 13 home runs and 61 RBIs over 148 games, playing a pivotal role in Houston clinching the AL West. His journey with the Astros commenced after being chosen in the 13th round of the 2017 amateur draft.
This incredible feat occurred when Yordan Alvarez was out due to inflammation in his right hand.
Meyers launched his inaugural home run of the season with his very first pitch against Davis Martin in the third inning. He then evened the score to 3 with a two-run triple following an intense 10-pitch face-off in the fourth inning.
A three-run homer off Penn Murfee in the sixth inning propelled the Astros into a decisive lead. Murfee, a fresh right-handed pitcher, confronted the right-hitting Meyers, only to witness his phenomenal strike.
“This was incredible,” Meyers said, visibly elated. “I had a blast out there.”
Meyers’ RBI double to center field in the eighth further bolstered his total bases count to 13. Unbeknownst to him, he was teetering close to a team milestone, previously achieved by Alvarez last August in Philadelphia.
“My mindset was just to keep the momentum flowing and to keep piling on runs,” Meyers concluded.