Griffin Conine hit his first career home run, and the Miami Marlins won 4-3 against the San Francisco Giants on Saturday night.
Conine, whose father is Jeff Conine, a long-time Marlins player, made his major league debut on Monday and got his first hit on Tuesday. His first home run was a two-run shot that hit the right-field foul pole in the second inning. He hit a fastball from Giants pitcher Mason Black to give the Marlins a 2-0 lead.
Black threw Conine only fastballs during that at-bat, and Conine managed to hit the fifth one — which was 92 mph — just fair. The ball would have been a home run in only two major league parks: Oracle Park and Fenway Park.
“I couldn’t hear anything, and I heard everything at the same time,” Conine said about his feelings while rounding the bases. “I felt like I was floating. It was a dream-like scenario. I’m just trying to replay it in my mind.”
Conine got the ball back from the fan who caught it, in exchange for a bat, a photo, and another ball. The home run ball, marked with a yellow spot from hitting the foul pole, is now in a glass display case.
He received a text from his dad, who didn’t travel to San Francisco, saying, “Call me.”
Marlins manager Skip Schumaker praised Conine for taking full advantage of his chance.
“The guy works his tail off,” Schumaker said. “So it’s not surprising when all the hard work is equaling good luck. I love the demeanor. I love the work ethic. All that stuff is contagious.”
The Giants’ Michael Conforto hit a home run in the eighth inning to make the score 4-3, but Calvin Faucher retired the Giants in the ninth to earn his fifth save.
San Francisco (68-69) is still 6 1/2 games behind in the National League playoff race, with four teams ahead of them.
