Atlanta’s Jorge Soler has become the first batter ever to lead off a World Series with a home run.
Making his first start since returning from a positive COVID-19 test, Soler opened the 117th World Series with a drive to left off Houston’s Framber Valdez on Tuesday night.
The 29-year-old Cuban took Valdez’s first two pitches for balls. Valdez then threw his third straight sinker, and with catcher Martin Maldonado set up low and outside, left the ball over the middle of the plate.
Soler, who had 14 home runs during the regular season, drove the 93.7 mph offering 382 feet, and it landed about four rows deep into the Crawford seats behind the 19-foot high left-field scoreboard.
While four batters led off the bottom of the first of a World Series opener with a home run, Soler became the first in 117 World Series to homer starting the top of the first of an opener.
