Suzuki ties Hawaii HR mark
Baldwin grad matches Victorino’s career total of 108 home runs in Braves’ 8-1 win over Marlins
Kurt Suzuki homered Saturday to help the Braves defeat the Miami Marlins 8-1 in Atlanta and tied the career record for most home runs hit by a Hawaii-born major leaguer.
Suzuki, a 2001 graduate of Baldwin High School playing in his 12th major league season, matched the mark of 108 home runs hit by fellow Mauian Shane Victorino, a 1999 graduate of St. Anthony who most recently played in the majors in 2015.
Suzuki is already the career leader among Hawaii-born players in RBIs (585) and doubles (245).
Suzuki’s sixth home run of the season, a solo shot to left field, came in the seventh inning off Jarlin Garcia and gave the Braves a 5-1 lead.
The hit was certainly a welcome one for Suzuki — it broke a 1-for-22 slump dating back to May 8. He finished the day 1-for-3 with an RBI, two runs scored and a walk.
Sean Newcomb (5-1) pitched six strong innings to win his fourth straight start, and Johan Camargo and Ozzie Albies each drove in two runs for the Braves.
Ender Inciarte went 3-for-4 and Freddie Freeman added a two-run homer in the eighth to help Atlanta win for the eighth time in 11 games and hold onto the National League’s best record at 27-17.
Newcomb allowed four hits and two walks with four strikeouts. He is 4-0 with a 0.36 ERA in four starts this month.
Jose Urena (0-7) lost his eighth straight decision. The Marlins have lost each of his 10 starts this year and 12 straight overall.