Tigers Pitcher Daniel Norris Becomes First American League Pitcher to Hit Homer in Wrigley Field

It’s been a disappointing season for the Detroit Tigers, who have no chance at catching Kansas City in the A.L Central and are 4 ½ games back in the Wild Card standings after games of August 19th. However, they did go into Wrigley Field and sweep a two game series over Chicago Cubs, pounding the ball in the process with 10-8 and 15-8 victories on August 18th and 19th. Tiger’s pitcher Daniel Norris made some history in the process in the finale, but with his bat not his arm.

Before the game, Norris took batting practice as there is no designated hitter for interleague games in National League home games, and he was the scheduled starting pitcher. Norris hit one way out, which hit the Cubs’ brand new right field scoreboard, breaking a panel on it. Then in his first major league plate appearance in the second inning of the game, Norris launched one out of the park.

Norris not only got a home run in his first time at the plate in the majors, he was the first pitcher to do so in 15 years when Estaban Yan of Tampa Bay did it. He’s also the first pitcher from an American League team to ever hit a home run in Wrigley Field.

Unfortunately, Norris injured his right oblique in the fifth inning and had to leave the game. He’ll probably have to go to the disabled list.