Lars Anderson Homer on SportsCenter Top 10

In the 70 year history of McCoy Stadium, no batter has ever hit the video board in right-center field with a home run.

Until last night.

Even if the video board hasn’t been there since 1942, history was still made last night in the fourth inning. That’s when PawSox first baseman/left fielder Lars Anderson unloaded on a pitch that smacked off the two-year old HD board which now needs some new parts.

It was such a blast, ESPN SportsCenter ranked it among last night’s Top 10 Plays.

“Makes me feel good, man,”  said Anderson in a post-game interview. “[Pedro] Ciriaco and I have a competition of who has the most Top 10 Plays, so that’d be awesome if I could have that as a step up on him.”

Photo taken of the video board at McCoy Stadium seconds after Anderson’s blast. (Jillian Souza)

Lost in the hype surrounding his home run is the fact that Anderson tied a career-high with five runs batted in. He drew a bases-loaded walk in the first, connected on a two-run single in the second, and then the 2-run homer in the fourth (he later struck out and grounded out).

It’s the third, five-RBI game of Anderson’s career, his first since April 26, 2009 with Double-A Portland.

Last night’s performance comes on the heels of Anderson’s two-homer night against Toledo on Sunday, May 27. It marked his third-career game with a pair of home runs, his first since May 16, 2009 with the Sea Dogs.

In related long ball news, the PawSox have homered 12 times over their last four games and now lead the International League with 57 bombs – the 5th-highest total in the minor leagues. The High Desert Mavericks, in the hitter-friendly California League, are  pacing everyone with 77 round-trippers.

Congrats to Lars. Now we just need to see Ciriaco hit one a foot higher.

-AG

@aaronmgoldsmith
agoldsmith@pawsox.com

Anderson has hit three of his six home runs this season over his last three games. He hit a career-high 18 homers in 2008 between Lancaster and Portland. (Kelly O’Connor)