Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero made baseball history by hitting a home run in six consecutive games during a 4-0 victory against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. At 22 years and 361 days old, Caminero became the youngest player in major league history since at least 1900 to accomplish the feat, surpassing a mark previously held by Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr.
Historic First-Inning Blast at Kauffman Stadium
The milestone arrived just three batters into the contest on Wednesday night. Caminero jumped on the first pitch he saw from Royals right-hander Seth Lugo—a sinker intended to stay away from the plate that leaked back inside—and drove it 425 feet, according to Statcast projections. The two-run shot cleared the seats beyond the visitors’ bullpen in left field.
“It’s kind of amazing when you’ve got 25 other players in the dugout that are pretty much in awe, along with an entire coaching staff,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “That means you’re doing some incredible things.”
Jonathan Aranda, who had singled ahead of Caminero in the opening frame, watched the ball sail out and reacted with a laugh as he rounded the bases. “Pretty surprised,” Caminero said regarding the company he is now keeping in the record books. “Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. … When my name stays in that lineup, it’s unbelievable.”
Surpassing Ken Griffey Jr. and Chasing Rare Air
When Griffey homered in his sixth straight game on July 25, 1993, he was 23 years and 246 days old. Caminero, who celebrates his birthday on Sunday, reached the six-game plateau younger than Griffey was during his famous eight-game home run streak.
Carlos Peña previously established the Tampa Bay franchise record by homering in six straight games from June 6-12, 2010, a standard Caminero now shares. Before Caminero’s current tear, the last major league player to homer in six consecutive contests was Rafael Devers, who did so from May 15-20, 2024.
If Caminero extends his streak during Thursday night’s series finale in Kansas City, he will join an exclusive group of just seven players in baseball history to record a seven-game home run streak. Mike Trout was the most recent player to achieve a seven-game run, accomplishing the feat from Sept. 4-12, 2022. The all-time major league record of eight straight games with a home run is shared by Griffey, Don Mattingly (July 8-18, 1987), and Dale Long (May 19-28, 1956).
A Historic Eight-Game Tear and Standings Impact
Caminero’s streak is part of an even larger offensive explosion. Over his last eight games, the third baseman is batting .452 (14-for-31) with nine home runs and 20 RBIs. That represents the most home runs in an eight-game span by any player age 22 or younger since at least 1900.
“You just go through stretches where you’re locked in. His ‘locked in’ is a lot different than most people’s ‘locked in,'” Rays catcher Nick Fortes said. “He gets a pitch, and he’s just not missing it.”
The victory on Wednesday night was Tampa Bay’s seventh in a row, matching the team’s longest winning streak of the season and making the Rays the first American League team to reach 50 wins. Beyond his bat, Caminero contributed significantly on defense behind starting pitcher Shane McClanahan, starting a pair of double plays and snagging a 108.3 mph line drive off the bat of Bobby Witt Jr. to end the third inning.
“Probably call him an All-Star, maybe a Home Run Derby champion,” McClanahan said after the game. “Junior is the best.”
Next Steps in the Series
The Tampa Bay Rays conclude their series against the Kansas City Royals with Thursday night’s finale at Kauffman Stadium, where Caminero will have an opportunity to become one of seven players to record a seven-game home run streak by homering in his seventh consecutive game.
