Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell blasted a 472-foot two-run home run into the Allegheny River in the fourth inning Wednesday off Texas Rangers' starting pitcher Shelby Miller (GameTracker). With one swing, Bell took Miller's fastball way over the right field stands and straight into one of Pittsburgh's three rivers. Take a look as Bell absolutely destroys this baseball:
4️⃣7️⃣2️⃣ feet into the river. 😱 #Crushed pic.twitter.com/QlkTwYKXvm
— MLB (@MLB) May 8, 2019
Josh Bell hit a 472-foot home run clear out of PNC Park and into the Allegheny River. pic.twitter.com/MDCTt9cHHG
— David Adler (@_dadler) May 8, 2019
Bell's ninth homer of the season left his bat at 114.9 mph and was just the fourth blast to hit the river on a fly in PNC Park history. It was the fifth longest home run in the stadium's history behind Sammy Sosa (484 ft, 2002), Pedro Alvarez (479 ft, 2015), Daryle Ward (479 ft, 2002) and Bell's 474-foot blast from earlier this season.
✔️ Only the 4th HR to hit the river on a fly in PNC Park history
— Pirates (@Pirates) May 8, 2019
✔️ 5th longest HR in PNC Park history pic.twitter.com/aTy7o3uU9D
Bell is continuing his strong start to the season, as he entered Wednesday's game hitting .288/.368/.619 with 11 doubles, two triples, 25 RBI. His .986 OPS is seventh best in the National League. Bell is also tied for third among all MLB players with 22 extra-base hits this season. Bell's .401 wOBA and 153wRC+ rank third and fourth respectively, among all first baseman.
With an injury-plagued April for the Pirates -- Corey Dickerson and Lonnie Chisenhall are among those on the injured list -- Bell has been one of the main reasons why the club has managed to hover above .500. The Bucs have gotten a power surge from Bell, and they'll continue to fight their way out from the bottom half in the NL Central.
