Cincinnati Reds’ Scooter Gennett has one of the best all around offensive games ever

Scooter Gennett hit four home runs and had 17 total bases for the Cincinnati Reds on June 6,2017.

Prior to Scooter Gennett’s outburst, the Cincinnati Reds’ single game home run record was a tie between two active players.  Former Red Drew Stubbs and current Reds’ first baseman Joey Votto each had a three home run game for the Reds.  Stubbs’ was more surprising given that he was also the fastest member on the team when he accomplished the fate.

There are now 17 players in the history of MLB that have hit four home runs in a single game.  Gennett has the fewest career home runs by a large margin.  His 42 is 29 beyond the next fewest of 71 hit by Bobby Lowe of the Boston Beaneaters in 1894.

Gennett’s 17 total bases also fell only two short of the MLB record  set by Shawn Green in 2002.  Green was a single game monster holding the records for most home runs in a game, most extra base hits in a game, most total bases in a game, most runs scored in a game, most home run in two consecutive games, most home runs in three consecutive games, and most consecutive plate appearances with a home run.  Green’s game is one of only a handful that keep Gennett’s from being the best in the history of MLB.

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Scooter Gennett’s game compares favorably to other Cincinnati Reds’ games or other MLB games.

Prior to Gennett’s four home run out burst, the Reds’ best offensive game was Votto’s three home run outing in 2008.  He went three for four with a walk and a stolen base.  Of course that was in addition to his three home runs.

Shawn Green had arguably the best offensive game in the history of the big leagues when he set the total base record, but there are other who say that the best offensive game ever was played against the Reds.

Mark Whiten’s outburst against the Reds in1993 is considered by some the best offensive game ever.

Whiten went four for five, hitting four home runs and driving in 12.  Seven of those RBI came with 2-outs in the inning.  Whiten also hit the home runs off of three different pitchers.

Next: Bring canned goods to the game at the end of June!

Whether Mark Whiten’s or Shawn Green’s game ranks as the best ever, they both beat out Gennett’s by a hair.  That this was among the best games ever, however, is still amazing.  Gennett and Reds’ fans should remember this night forever.