Wenceel Pérez homered from both sides of the plate in the Detroit Tigers’ victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday, setting a franchise record.
Wenceel Pérez made Detroit Tigers history on Tuesday, making up for a sluggish start with a power outburst later in the night.
Pérez was 0-for-4 in the first game of Tuesday’s doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals, which Detroit lost 2-1. The rookie outfielder, however, played a significant role in the Tigers turning the script in game two, beginning with his single home run in the bottom of the second inning.
The Cardinals ultimately rallied, and the game was knotted 5-5 as Pérez came up to bat in the bottom of the fifth. This time, Pérez batted lefty; his previous home run occurred when he batted righty.
Pérez smashed a two-run home run to put the Tigers ahead 7-5, showcasing his switch-hitting abilities in the most spectacular way conceivable.
Wenceel Pérez has homered from both sides of the plate! pic.twitter.com/IQJ0mIgy39
— MLB (@MLB) May 1, 2024
Detroit never trailed again and went on to win 11–6.
According to the Tigers’ public relations department and the Elias Sports Bureau, Pérez became the franchise’s first rookie to homer from both sides of the plate in the same game since Raul Casanova did so against the Baltimore Orioles on June 6, 1996.
According to @EliasSports, Wenceel Pérez is the first Tigers rookie to homer from both sides of the plate in a game since Raul Casanova on June 6, 1996 at Baltimore.
— Tigers PR (@DetroitTigersPR) May 1, 2024
Pérez began 2024 as the Tigers’ No. 20 prospect. The 24-year-old was called up to make his MLB debut on April 8 and made his first big league start on April 13.
Pérez has 15 major league appearances and is hitting.302 with three home runs, two triples, one double, eight RBI, two stolen bases, five walks, a 1.003 OPS, and 0.5 WAR.
Pérez will have the opportunity to add to his totals and stay hot when the Tigers start their series against the Cardinals on Wednesday. The first pitch is slated for 1:10 p.m. ET.
