Never before in the 136 year history of the Pittsburgh Pirates had a catcher homered three times in a game for them.
Until Thursday night.
And in Michael Perez's career, he had never hit three home runs in the same game.
Until Thursday night.
Yes Perez, who entered the game with a .129 batting average and three home runs on the season, went 4-for-4 with three long balls to propel the Pirates to an 8-7 win over the Brewers Thursday night at PNC Park.
So what was he thinking going up to bat in the eighth, one homer away from franchise history?
"Really nothing," Perez admitted. "I was just focused and proud of me. I believe in myself every time. Just keep working and try to put a good swing on a good pitch."
He did, and the Pirates needed all three of his swings to get on the board. Just like they needed all three of Bryan Reynolds' homers Wednesday to beat the Nationals and all three of Jack Suwinski's home runs to beat the Giants on June 19.
Perez said he didn't feel or do anything different before the game. He still got the same work in with hitting coach Andy Haines and went about his routine.
So maybe he just got bit by what got Reynolds and Suwinski.
"It’s just passing around," JT Brubaker joked. "Just a contagious bug, those three homers."
Not to suggest three homers is ever common or predictable, but Perez didn't seem like a three-homer candidate when compared to his teammates. Reynolds was an All-Star in 2021 and was having one of the best months of his career in June. Suwinski is a rookie with potential and 13 homers on the season already, including one Thursday.
Perez, on the other hand, has struggled at the plate, was taken off the roster this winter and didn't make the opening day team. So even if he downplayed the significance of the night postgame, that performance meant something to Perez.
"It looked like he was just overwhelmed with emotions," Suwinski said about when Perez returned to the dugout. "Happiness. It looked like he was having a ton of fun."
Suwinski and fellow rookie Tucupita Marcano were the ones who gave Perez an ice bath during his postgame on-field interview. A gift from one three-homer game member to another.
In fact, Perez, Suwinski and Reynolds are the first trio of players to ever hit three or more homers in the same month in American or National League history.
He may not have their hitting results, but Perez's power ranks right alongside the two outfielders. Making consistent contact has always been a struggle for Perez in the majors, but when he connects, it can be launched.
"He has the ability to drive the baseball, especially on the pull side," Derek Shelton said. "He hits the ball hard. It’s just making sure that he’s on time to get there, and tonight, he was on time."
But even when his timing's off, Perez has stuck with the major-league team because of how he manages the pitching staff, something Brubaker appreciates as the Pirates' have been in flux all year at the catcher position.
"Mike always does a great job being able to separate the hitting side from the game calling side," Brubaker said. "I cannot give him enough credit for being able to do it. I’m sure it makes it easier to call a game tonight when he’s swinging the bat like that. It’s awesome to see.”
It was a career highlight and a performance that will put Perez forever in the club's record books. Even if he didn't expect it, he believed he could do something like what he did Thursday, even amid his struggles.
"I always believe in myself, that I can do my best every day," Perez said. "To be a part of this and the win, it feels good."
