It took 96 career at-bats, but Detroit's 27-year-old sparkplug Quintin Berry finally belted his first career home run in Sunday's series finale with the Pirates. Berry took Pittsburgh starter Kevin Correia deep to right field on a 2-0 count in the game's opening frame, and plated teammate Austin Jackson in the process to record his 10th RBI of the year.
Quintin Berry's 2-run HR in the first inning makes it 2-0 #Tigers. It's Berry's first major league homer. #tigerschat #keephiminthelineup
— Freep Sports (@freepsports) June 24, 2012
Berry's blast moved his season average up to .313, and now gives him 30 hits in 29 games played this year since being called up. While there's no question that Berry's pure speed alone offers a much-needed dimension for manager Jim Leyland going forward, it remains to be seen whether the red-hot career minor leaguer can carve out a full-time niche in Detroit's lineup when outfielder Andy Dirks returns from injury.
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