Athletics' Butler, Rockies' Toglia Surprise With Three-Homer Days

Patrick Andres | Jul 14, 2024

Jul 14, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Oakland Athletics outfielder Lawrence Butler (4) celebrates his third home run of the game against the Philadelphia Phillies during the seventh inning at Citizens Bank Park. / Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Entering Sunday, few would've pegged Oakland Athletics right fielder Lawrence Butler or Colorado Rockies first baseman Michael Toglia as candidates to hit three home runs in one game.

Yet when the dust settled on their teams' respective contests, both Butler and Toglia had carved their own little slices of history. The former hit three home runs in the Athletics' 18–3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies, while the latter did likewise in the Rockies' 8–5 victory over the New York Mets.

Both performances, to an extent, came out of nowhere. Butler, who hit leadoff for Oakland Sunday, owned just 10 home runs in his entire 105-game big-league career.

THREE for Lawrence Butler, TWO for Brent Rooker, and EIGHT home runs in all for the @Athletics to take the series win in Philly. pic.twitter.com/1tMKpjdiFp

— MLB (@MLB) July 14, 2024

Toglia entered Sunday hitting .183, though he did have 13 home runs on the year. Three of those home runs had come in his last five games.

With his three home runs this afternoon, Michael Toglia becomes the first ever Rockies switch hitter with three home runs in a game.

Toglia also becomes the sixth Rockie (eighth time overall) to hit three home runs in a road game (last: Charlie Blackmon, Aug. 12 2016 at…

— Rockies Club Information (@RockiesClubInfo) July 14, 2024

Given the Athletics and Colorado's respective struggles this year, offensive explosions for both teams against playoff contenders entering the All-Star break have to feel good.