NEW YORK -- St. Louis Cardinals utility man Jedd Gyorko pulled off something seldom accomplished in the major leagues: He went deep in both games of a doubleheader, then he did it again less than a week later.
Gyorko hit a 98 mph fastball from Noah Syndergaard into the second deck at Citi Field in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader with the New York Mets, then hit an 84 mph sinker from Bartolo Colon to a similar location in the second inning of the second game.
Gyorko had hit three home runs the last time the Cardinals played a doubleheader, last Wednesday against the San Diego Padres.
"I got a couple pitches to do some damage with and didn't miss them," Gyorko said after the Cardinals split Tuesday's doubleheader. "Most at-bats you're usually going to get something good to hit. It's just a matter of putting a good swing on it."
The last player to homer in each game of a doubleheader was Jacoby Ellsbury in 2011. The last player to do it twice in a week was Bobby Bonilla in 1990.
Gyorko's seven home runs since July 18 are the most in the majors in that span and have come over a stretch of just 32 at-bats. He has 14 home runs this season.
"I don't think people realize how good a player he is," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said between games Tuesday. The Cardinals won the first game 3-2 but lost the nightcap 3-1.
The Cardinals have eight players on pace to hit 20 home runs this season. No major league team has ever accomplished that.
