Sheffield Ties Record for Homers in April

L.A. Times Archives

April 27, 1996 12 AM PT

From Associated Press

Gary Sheffield gave Kevin Brown all the offense he needed and tied a major league record in the process.

Sheffield hit his 11th home run to match the mark for most homers in April, and Brown pitched a seven-hitter Friday night at Candlestick Park to lead the Marlins over the San Francisco Giants, 3-0.

Sheffield, leading the majors in homers, drove a 2-1 pitch from Osvaldo Fernandez into the left-field bleachers in the first inning. Quilvio Veres drew a leadoff walk before Sheffield connected to help hand Fernandez (3-1) his first loss and extend Florida’s winning streak in San Francisco to five.

“I really didn’t realize what I did until they [teammates in the bullpen] started calling for the ball,” Sheffield said. “The fans had thrown it back out on the field and it’s lucky they did because I wanted to keep it.”

Three others have hit 11 homers in April: Willie Stargell with Pittsburgh (1971), Graig Nettles with the New York Yankees (1974) and Mike Schmidt with Philadelphia (1976).

Sheffield said it was nice to be in such illustrious company; he recalled Stargell once gave a speech to his Little League team when he was 12.

Brown (2-3), who came to Florida as a free agent from the Texas Rangers, struck out seven and walked one in extending his scoreless streak against the Giants to 17 innings. It was his eighth career shutout.

“I don’t feel like I overpowered anybody,” Brown said. “I just made some good pitches here and there when I had to.”

No Giant runner reached second base, and the Florida defense also helped out with two double plays, the last in the seventh inning when Tom Lampkin struck out and catcher Charles Johnson threw out Mark Carreon attempting to steal second.

Fernandez, who yielded a homer to Sheffield while winning his big league debut at Florida on April 5, gave up three runs and eight hits in seven innings.

San Diego 3, Houston 2--Ken Caminiti went three for three and scored the winning run on Mike Hampton’s wild pitch in the sixth inning at San Diego for the Padres, who, at 16-7, are off to their best start ever.

The Padres are one win better after 23 games than the 1984 team, which went on to win the National League pennant. San Diego extended its winning streak to six.

Hampton had outdueled Fernando Valenzuela and was keeping pace with Caminiti at the plate until the sixth inning. With the scored tied, 2-2, Caminiti hit a leadoff double.

He moved up on Wally Joyner’s sacrifice and scored when Hampton’s two-out pitch to Brad Ausmus bounced in the dirt in front of the plate.

Tony Gwynn returned after missing the nine previous games because of an inflamed right heel. He singled and scored in San Diego’s two-run first inning.

Caminiti singled and doubled his first two at-bats, extending his hitting streak to 13 games, one short of his career-best.

Philadelphia 2, Cincinnati 0--Mike Grace retired the first 16 batters and threw eight shutout innings for the Phillies at Cincinnati, which has lost six consecutive games and nine of its last 10.

Grace (4-0) walked one and gave up only three singles--two by Jeff Branson. The right-hander lost his bid for a perfect game when Branson’s bouncer went off his glove for an infield single with one out in the sixth inning.

Atlanta 6, St. Louis 1--Steve Avery pitched seven shutout innings at St. Louis and Fred McGriff homered and doubled twice for the Braves, who won for the seventh time in their last 11 games.

Avery (2-1), who has 15 consecutive shutout innings, gave up five hits and struck out seven in sending the Cardinals to their fifth loss in six games.

Pittsburgh 10, New York 6--Jeff King, Orlando Merced and Charlie Hayes homered for the Pirates, who won in Pittsburgh despite losing starting pitcher Zane Smith, who strained his right hamstring while scoring on Al Martin’s double in the second inning.

The game had just resumed after a 59-minute rain delay when Smith was hurt, and there was no report on the severity of his injury.

Montreal 6, Colorado 2--David Segui and Moises Alou hit two-run homers at Denver for the Expos, who won their eighth game in a row.

Montreal won its 16th game and tied the club record for April wins, a mark set in 1981.

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What a Month

The record for home runs in April:

* NATIONAL LEAGUE--11

Gary Sheffield, Florida: 1996

Mike Schmidt, Philadelphia: 1976

Willie Stargell, Pittsburgh: 1971

* AMERICAN LEAGUE--11

Graig Nettles, New York: 1974