HR vs. Defending Champs
On Wednesday, Angel Martinez hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the 8th inning of the Guardians 7-4 win over the Dodgers, the team’s first go-ahead home run in the 8th inning or later against the defending champs since 2019.
Here are the rest of the go-ahead HR in 8th or later vs defending World Series champs since 2000:
- 2019 – Carlos Santana vs Red Sox
- 2018 – Greg Allen vs Astros
- 2014 – Nick Swisher vs Red Sox
- 2014 – Asdrubal Cabrera vs Red Sox
- 2012 – Jason Kipnis vs Cardinals
- 2006 – Victor Martinez vs White Sox (twice)
- 2005 – Travis Hafner vs Red Sox