Gavin Lux looked like a flat-out major-leaguer on Tuesday night — someone who has not just staying power, but star power.
On the night, Lux was a triple shy of the cycle, going 3-for-4. He looked great and before you say that it was against the lowly Orioles, let me stop you. He looked phenomenal on both sides of the ball — a fantastic night for the 21-year-old.
The Home Run
The home run was special in itself and had to have been just as important to Lux as him winning his first division title as a professional.
In the fifth inning of Tuesday night’s matchup with the Baltimore Orioles, Gavin Lux absolutely CRUSHED a ball to right-center field. As Dinger Tracker denotes below, the ball left Lux’s bat at a blazing speed of 104.7 miles per hour. The launch angle was indicative of the ball leaving the yard at 34 degrees and was crushed a solid and even 400 feet. Not bad for his first career home run — and certainly not his last.
#Dodgers 7 @ #Orioles 0 [T5-2o]:
Gavin Lux homers (1): fly ball to RCF (solo)
Hit: 400.26ft, 104.67mph, 34.22°?
Pitch: 99.1mph Four-Seam Fastball (LHP Tanner Scott, 4) pic.twitter.com/oBzLvjzPro
— Home Run Tracker (@DingerTracker) September 11, 2019
It made it even more special that Lux, who has historically had trouble with southpaws, hit his first bomb off of one. Not only was it a lefty, it was against Orioles’ left-hander Tanner Scott, someone who has the ability to touch triple-digits. He grooved a 99 mile per hour fastball to Lux and he made him pay.
Gavin Lux just hit a 99.1 mph fastball off a LHP for his first career HR. The kid is going to special
— ? (@eccentricladdie) September 11, 2019
During the game, we here at Dodgers Nation loved to see it.
GAVIN WITH THE 400 FOOTER. pic.twitter.com/iUu8NANOkR
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) September 11, 2019
The Ball
One of the coolest parts of Gavin Lux’s first career round-tripper was that it was caught by a Dodger fan (in Baltimore!). Lux reportedly has gotten his ball back and in exchange for it: a signed bat and two signed baseballs. What an experience for those fans!
Gavin Lux traded a signed bat and two signed baseballs to get his 1st HR ball back @AM570LASports #DodgerNation #LABleedsBlue #ITFDB @DodgersNation
— DodgerDude74 (@DodgerDude74) September 11, 2019
That is one that Gavin Lux will remember for the rest of his life.
The Celebration
Gavin had the time to celebrate with the Dodgers after the historic night for the club and the coming-out party for himself.
That feeling when you clinch and get your first career homer on the same night. pic.twitter.com/SGW11E36Ka
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 11, 2019
Overall
It was a fantastic night and Lux’s excellent performance provided the cherry on top of it all.