Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton set an American League record on Tuesday night when he gathered 18 total bases in a game after going 5-5 with four home runs and a double in a 10-3 Rangers win over the Baltimore Orioles.
Hamilton became the 16th player in Major League history to hit four home runs in a game.
"It is just an absolute blessing from above," Hamilton said on the field after the game when asked about setting the record. "I've always wanted to hit three (home runs) in one game, I'd never done that, and then to get four, I mean, I was just thanking the lord above.
Four home runs in a game is a new Rangers record.
"I was just staying small," Hamilton said. "I wasn't getting too big, trying to do too much. I was just taking the barrel of the bat to the ball and it worked out good."
Hamilton was surprised a bit though that this ball-launching feat happened in Baltimore.
"Usually it is humid here and the ball doesn't carry quite as well at nighttime," Hamilton said. "But it was cool enough here tonight and it carried good."
The Oriole fans did not have much to cheer about with the home team tonight, but the recognition and appreciation delivered by the fans was not lost on the former American League MVP.
"It's pretty special," Hamilton said. "It means that when they recognize when a player has done something good that they are true baseball fans and they come to enjoy the game, and not only to root on their own team, but when somebody does something good on the other team, they appreciate that too."
Hamilton started the game by hitting a two-run shot in the first inning off Baltimore starter Jake Arrieta. He hit another two-run home run off Arrieta in the 3rd inning.
In the 7th inning, Hamilton hit a two-run home run off of Zach Phillips before capping his night with another two-run blast against Darren O'Day.
Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus was on base for each of the home runs.
