On August 16, 1947 — At Forbes Field Ralph Kiner hits three successive home runs for the host Pittsburgh Pirates, in a 12 – 7 win over the Cardinals in a game in which the two clubs bang out a major-league record 10 homers (since topped). Two other Bucs, Hank Greenberg and Billy Cox, and one Cardinal, Whitey Kurowski, each contribute two home runs to set a major-league record for most players with two or more homers in a game. Kiner’s three home runs, solo shots in the third and eighth and a three-run blast in the fourth inning
Kiner matches the major league mark of seven home runs in four games, six in three games, five in two games, and four in consecutive at bats. By the end of the month, Big Ralph will still trail Johnny Mize 39 to 43 in a head-to-head home run competition that will only be matched by Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle in 1961. Starters Roger Wolff and the Cards’ Ken Burkhart both exit in the 1st inning.
The future Hall of Famer is the first Pirate player to accomplish this feat in the 65-year history of the franchise.
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