Hunter Goodman Hits 3 Homers in 9-6 Rockies Loss to Cincinnati Reds

Hunter Goodman homers three times against the Reds, becoming the first player in Colorado Rockies history to record two three-homer games in a single season.

Hunter Goodman homers three times in a single game for the second time this season, yet the Colorado Rockies fell 9-6 to the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. The loss resulted in the Rockies dropping two of three games in the weekend series. Goodman’s offensive explosion featured a solo shot in the first inning and a two-run liner in the sixth, both against Hunter Greene, followed by a two-run blast off reliever Sam Moll in the eighth. These three hits traveled a combined estimated distance of 1,302 feet, marking his 28th, 29th, and 30th home runs of the year.

Historic Power Display at Coors Field

By launching three balls over the fence, Goodman established himself as the only player in Colorado franchise history to produce two three-homer games in the same season. This feat eluded Hall of Famers Larry Walker and Todd Helton, as well as the original "Blake Street Bombers." Goodman previously achieved a three-homer performance at Minnesota on June 27. He now joins Walker, Helton, and Carlos González as the only four players in team history to record multiple three-homer games throughout their careers.

Goodman reached the 30-homer plateau in the team's 101st game, making him the fourth-fastest player in franchise history to hit that mark. He trails only Vinny Castilla (97 games in 1998), Andrés Galarraga (99 games in 1994), and Larry Walker (100 games in 1999). The All-Star catcher snapped a home run drought that dated back to July 1, a slump he addressed by taking Saturday off and choosing not to swing a bat to reset mentally and physically.

Pitch Selection and Exit Velocity

The power surge came against specific offerings from the Reds' pitching staff. Goodman connected with a slider and a 98.6 mph fastball from Greene before punishing a sinker thrown by Moll. Manager Warren Schaeffer noted that the catcher looked in sync and displayed visible confidence during the performance. The game featured a total of six home runs between the two teams, including four from Cincinnati. Tyler Stephenson, the Reds' catcher, accounted for two of those visitors' long balls on a hot summer day in Denver.

Impact of the Series Finale

Despite the individual achievement, the Rockies could not overcome the nine runs surrendered to the Reds. Goodman noted that the ball tends to fly at Coors Field under high-temperature conditions, which assisted his record-breaking day. The catcher was not selected for the upcoming Home Run Derby, but his performance on Sunday showcased his ability to drive the ball. He expressed that it was a significant accomplishment to be mentioned alongside the Hall of Famers who previously played for the organization. The three-homer effort served as a breakout for the rookie who had been struggling to find his power stroke for nearly two weeks before the Sunday finale.