Orioles rookie Jackson Holliday reveals game-altering suggestion that would lead to more homers in MLB games
Baltimore Orioles rookie Jackson Holliday has a hitter-friendly suggestion for the MLB: increase the number of home runs in a season. In the last month or so, there have been at least a few foul balls off Holliday's bat that fell just right of the right-field pole. He was the victim of the thinnest of margins, from having it count as a home run to getting it counted as a foul ball.
During a conversation at Camden Yards, Holliday mentioned expanding the foul territory so that some of his home runs would count.
"There should be more foul territory so like if you hit a home run to the right of the foul pole it should count as a home run. So I'd move the foul pole because hitting's so hard," Holliday said.
Holliday is enjoying a far better second stint in the majors after he hit 2-for-34 in his first. Since his return for the second time in the last week of July, Holliday has been hitting .217 with five homers, 18 RBIs and 14 runs scored in 24 games.
Jackson Holliday pinch hits for victory
On Saturday when the Baltimore Orioles locked horns with the Houston Astros, they were having a dry run in offense. This was until Jackson Holliday came up with a pinch-hit opportunity in the sixth inning.
Framber Valdez was having a good outing, but things started moving in the Orioles' way in the sixth with Gunnar Henderson, Eloy Jimenez and Colton Cowser setting themselves to get the bases loaded. Holliday was called in to pinch hit for third baseman Emanuel Rivera.
The rookie hit a three-run RBI double, helping the Orioles get past the Astros 3-2 that day.
“Obviously Cowser getting to first right there, sliding in, is what got to that moment,” Holliday said. “It's important games. They're a good team. ... Three RBIs in that big of a spot, it's pretty awesome."
“What a huge hit for us,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “Great swing, totally under control.”
On Sunday, the Astros split the series after winning the game 6-3. The Orioles are having a hard time keeping up with the AL East leaders, the New York Yankees. They have once again dropped to 1.5 games behind the Yankees in the division.