D-backs’ Ketel Marte starts season strong with 4-hit Opening Day

Apr 1, 2021, 5:56 PM | Updated: 6:14 pm

(Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks outfielder Ketel Marte came out of the gates hot for Arizona on Opening Day against the San Diego Padres.

The D-backs center fielder opened his 2021 campaign going four of five at the plate. He drove in two runs and homered in an 8-7 loss for Arizona.

Marte started the Diamondbacks rally in the 5th inning as he smacked a home run to center field. Arizona would later go onto score six runs in the inning.

Four of those runs came in the form of the long ball, setting an MLB Opening Day record with four home runs in a single inning.

Teams with a 4-homer inning on #OpeningDay in MLB history:

-2021 Arizona Diamondbacks

That's it. That's the list. pic.twitter.com/9YePC8pPws

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) April 1, 2021

The 2019 MLB All-Star had an impressive spring training posting a .341 batting average and hitting three home runs, along with six RBIs in 16 games.

That discipline at the plate seemed to carry over well to Opening Day in San Diego.

Marte had himself a field day against San Diego Padres starter Yu Darvish. Marte singled in the first, doubled in the third and homered off Darvish in the fifth before the starter was pulled later that inning.

Dingers only. #RattleOn pic.twitter.com/DMqB4nlHTt

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) April 1, 2021

The D-backs outfielder was only a triple shy from the cycle on Thursday.

“Feel great man. Feel good. Healthy, and I’ve just been waiting for that moment.” Marte on his four-hit performance.

San Diego Padres players warm-up before a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday, April 1, 2021, on opening day in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

Baseball fans sit in the stands before a baseball game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Diego Padres Thursday, April 1, 2021, on opening day in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

Baseball fans sit in social distance squares during a baseball game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Diego Padres Thursday, April 1, 2021, on opening day in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish delivers during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Thursday, April 1, 2021, on opening day in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Tim Locastro hits a two-run home run during the fifth inning of the team's baseball game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday, April 1, 2021, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte reacts after striking out during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Thursday, April 1, 2021, on opening day in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte, right, is congratulated by Christian Walker after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres in a baseball game Thursday, April 1, 2021, on opening day in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

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