Four innings into his Thursday night, Curtis Granderson had a chance to make some serious history.
In the first inning, he homered.
In the second inning, he homered.
In the fourth inning, he homered.
Granted, they weren't long homers: 383 feet, 360 feet, and 352 feet.
Here, see for yourself.
But they all count the same in the box score, and also in the history. In the history, only 13 players had ever hit more than three home runs in one game. And Granderson, with Yankee Stadium's inviting left-field fence beckoning, figured to have two or three more shots at becoming No. 14.
Alas, serious history would not be made on this night in the Bronx. Granderson batted in the sixth, and singled into right-center field. Granderson batted in the eighth and, swinging with all his considerable might, dribbled a ball toward the first baseman and reached safely for his fifth hit.
So he certainly made some history, Thursday night. Granderson became the 20th Yankee to hit three home runs in one game, and the first to do it while going 5 for 5.
Oh, and there was a record-setting performance!
Mariano Rivera came out in the ninth inning to protect a 7-6 lead, and set a new record with his 606th save. For some reason, even Twitter didn't seem to notice.