Top Ten Dodger Homeruns of 2013: 6- Juan Uribe Hits Three Homeruns vs. D-backs

Pinch-hit homeruns are fun, back-to-back homeruns are thrilling, but once in awhile a truly remarkable feat occurs. Hitting three homeruns or more in a game is a special achievement that only a few Major Leaguers ever accomplish. There has only been two Dodgers to ever hit four homers in one game. The great Gil Hodges did it for Brooklyn back on August 31, 1950, and I remember watching Shawn Green hit four homeruns in one game on May 23, 2002. Ironically, Shawn Green was on hand at Dodger Stadium that magical September 2013 night in order to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Juan Uribe came up short in vying for that elusive fourth homerun, but the three he did hit out will live on in infamy.

6. Juan Uribe Hits Three Homeruns in One Game Versus the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday September 9, 2013.

Juan Uribe had hit just 6 total homeruns combined in his first two seasons with the Dodgers after being signed to a three-year contract before the 2011 season. Considered by many as an epic disappointment, Uribe was the brunt of many jokes and ire by Dodger fans over the course of his first two seasons in Blue. Yet Uribe kept his chin up, and he even supported Luis Cruz when the inexperienced infielder took over at third base for the last part of 2012 and beginning of 2013 after Uribe fell out of grace and barely played. It wasn’t until the utter failure of Cruz did Uribe get another shot at his rightful place at the hot corner for the Dodgers. Uribe would be the comeback player of the year for the Dodgers in 2013, and the portly third baseman not only succeeded at the plate but also dazzled with the glove defensively. Uribe was nominated for a Gold Glove Award, but was robbed in favor of Nolan Arenado (sorry to digress, but I’m bitter).

The night Uribe hit three homeruns against the venomous Snakes sent Dodger fans hearts reeling as their new fan favorite Uribe continued to be an integral part of the success of this Dodger team in 2013. Without Uribe’s solidified third base and his improved hitting, the Dodgers may not have been as strong of contenders. Uribe would continue to shine in the NLDS, but that is for a future post…

Not only did Uribe hit three homeruns during the 8-1 victory over Arizona, but they also hit six total homeruns as a team which snapped a four-game losing streak and brought them closer to clinching the division with a magic number of eight. That was the most homeruns hit by the Dodgers in a game since they hit seven against the Padres back on September 18, 2006.

The first of Uribe’s three homeruns came after Andre Ethier hit one out in the bottom of the second inning off of starter Randall Delgado for back-to-back homeruns which was exciting in its own right.  Adrian Gonzalez then hit a two-run homerun in the bottom of the third which was followed by Uribe’s second homerun, another solo shot to left field. Hanley Ramirez also hit a homerun in the bottom of the fifth before Uribe’s third homer in the same frame. Uribe had the chance to go for a fourth homerun in the bottom of the seventh, but he instead hit a RBI infield single to third base which perhaps was an even more rare event for the veteran. No. 5’s three homeruns was the most by a Dodger in a single game since Andre Ethier hit three back on June 26, 2009.

"“I feel happy,” Uribe said. “I had a good game and the team won the game.”"