Brinson homers twice to keep up hot start
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PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Lewis Brinson displayed his power on Wednesday against Mets pitching with a pair of towering solo homers in the Marlins' 14-6 loss at First Data Field.
As the Marlins' designated hitter, Brinson blasted a leadoff shot to left-center in the second inning against lefty Steven Matz, then sent another no-doubter to left-center off righty Walker Lockett to open the fourth.
“It was good to see,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. "He hit a breaking ball the second time up."
After going 2-for-3 on Wednesday, Brinson is batting .444 (4-for-9) with three home runs and a 1.556 slugging percentage through four Grapefruit League games.
All four pieces acquired in the Christian Yelich trade contributed in the game. No. 7 prospect Isan Diaz belted a solo homer in the fifth, No. 3 prospect Monte Harrison walked and scored in the sixth and No. 18 prospect Jordan Yamamoto pitched two scoreless innings, striking out two and walking one.
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“It’s Spring Training, fourth or fifth game, I’m not taking away a whole lot, but those were good swings and I’m taking it as a win today,” Brinson said.
Brinson, who hit .199 and missed time with an injury during his rookie season in 2018, learned from his struggles and went to work in the offseason.
“I did my homework, did my research and tried to find myself a little bit,” Brinson said. “I went to work, and this offseason, lived in the cage almost, committed myself to contributing to this team winning this year.”
Considering himself a mentally tough guy, Brinson admits that last season’s struggles were trying at times.
“Obviously, you want to contribute to your team winning,” Brinson said. “Mentally, I never really broke down. I never have in my career, in life, and I’ve been through a lot. I kind of went to work. Sometimes it felt good, sometimes it felt bad, and I just work even harder. That’s what I’m going to continue to do.”
Though he’s not making any major changes, Brinson says his approach will adjust slightly.
“Trying to stay up the middle, go the other way, lengthen my swing out a little bit,” Brinson said.
Becoming familiar with National League pitchers last season should help translate another good spring into a successful regular season. Or so Brinson hopes.
“I’ve learned by facing these guys over and over again,” Brinson said. “Just getting the book on them, and your mental book also, remembering how they pitched to you last year.”