SAN FRANCISCO -- Giants outfielder Chris Marrero paused at the plate for a brief moment, watching the ball as it sailed over the wall in left for his first career home run in Friday's 8-2 victory over the Rockies.
After spending what felt like a lifetime in the Minors, Marrero wanted -- and deserved -- to let the moment sink in.
"I've been through a lot of ups and downs in my career and it was a little battle at the beginning of the season, but I never lost confidence in myself," Marrero said. "I'm just happy that I could do it here in front of the fans. It's definitely going to be a moment I'm never going to forget for the rest of my life."
On a night in which San Francisco broke out of its power slump at AT&T Park and matched its season high for scoring, Marrero's two-run home run off Colorado starter Tyler Anderson was the memorable hit of the game.
The 400-foot blast in the second inning came not long after Anderson was called for the first of two balks and staked the Giants to an early lead they never relinquished.
Admittedly, Marrero got choked up somewhat when he trotted out to left field the following inning and rightfully so. He had 4,005 at-bats in the Minors during his 12-year career and another 143 in the Majors before his big moment.
"I got a little emotional out there," Marrero said. "You definitely think about it. I was just thinking about my family, everyone, everybody that's helped me get to this point."
San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy wasn't surprised after watching Marrero during Spring Training. The 28-year-old led the ballclub with seven Cactus League home runs and was second in RBIs.
When that spring success didn't transfer over to the regular season, Marrero admittedly began to press. Bochy, however, knew good things would eventually come.
"This is a game that should do so much for his confidence," Bochy said. "This is more the man that we saw this spring. Nice piece of hitting with two strikes for that home run, a big home run that really got us going. He just looked like he saw the ball much better tonight. Slowed it down."
Marrero had only one hit in 18 at-bats before homering off Anderson. He also singled in the fourth and flied out in the sixth before being replaced in the outfield by Gorkys Hernandez.
"From the first at-bat I felt amazing," Marrero said. "You just have to keep believing in yourself and keep fighting. I put in the work this offseason. I put in the work to make this team. You just sometimes have to let it all happen and just believe in yourself."
Marrero was able to get the milestone ball back, although the fan who caught it had am unusual request for trade bait.
"The fan wanted Dodger tickets," Marrero said.
And did he get them?
"Of course," Marrero said with a grin.