McGwire Hits Pair of Home Runs for a Rookie-Record Five in Two Games

Mark McGwire had no idea he was setting a new standard for rookies when he homered twice Sunday, giving him five home runs in two straight games.

“I’m not a trivia buff. I never knew anything like that,” McGwire said after he and Jose Canseco each homered twice as the Oakland A’s beat the Cleveland Indians, 10-0, at Cleveland.

McGwire became the first rookie and 14th player to hit five homers in two games. The last to do it was Gary Carter of the New York Mets in 1985.

The A’s first baseman, 8 for 9 on the weekend with 7 RBIs, also scored nine times in the two games to match a record shared by four others. The last to accomplish that was the Washington Senators’ Melo Almada in 1937.

McGwire, who hit three home runs and a single and scored five runs Saturday, doubled and scored in the second inning Sunday, then hit his 26th and 27th home runs in the fourth and seventh innings against loser Tom Candiotti (2-9).

“I realize I have a lot of home runs and stuff, but there’s a long way to go,” McGwire said.

The American League rookie record for homers is 37, the major league mark is 38.

McGwire also hit an infield single and scored in the eighth.

Reggie Jackson hit a solo homer in the seventh, his 10th this year and the 558th of his career, most among active players.

Canseco hit a three-run shot in the eighth and a solo homer, his 14th, in the ninth.