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July 13, 1997—Pro Player Stadium, Miami, FL
Florida Marlins vs. Philadelphia Phillies
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Final game heading into the All-Star break and Gary Sheffield was ready to leave it all out on the field. Coming off his best offensive campaign in 1996, the Marlins right fielder wouldn’t be participating in the Midsummer Classic this time around. The biggest difference in his performance? A lack of over-the-fence power—Sheffield had only five homers in his previous 50 contests.
On this Sunday evening, the poor Phillies found out that potential was still in him.
Sheffield was up to bat in the fourth inning, with no outs and nobody on, down 1-0 to the NL East rival. His iconic bat twitch was in full effect, and his next swing sent one flying deep into left field for a solo homer! The Marlins added four more runs to take a commanding lead...and then he was up to bat again in the same inning.
With two outs and a 2-1 count, Sheffield unloaded on another ball and sent it deep into left field for a three-run shot. Sheffield’s second home run of the inning!
“Did he get another one?! That one’s good...that’s gone! A three-run homer in the same inning he started with a solo homer. Thumbs up for Gary Sheffield.”
The Marlins put up a total of eight runs in the fourth inning, four of those coming from Sheffield’s mighty swings. They went on to win the game, 9-3.
Sheffield is one of 58 MLB players who have hit two home runs in the same inning.
During his tenure with the Marlins from 1993-1998, Sheffield was a 3x All-Star (‘93, ‘96, ‘98), a Silver Slugger (‘96), and a World Series Champion (1997). He ranks 26th in MLB history with 509 career home runs.