St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Juan Yepez (36) celebrates after his pinch hit two-run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the seventh inning in game one of the Wild Card series for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Busch Stadium. Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Juan Yepez does big bat flip after huge home run for Cardinals

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 10/7/22

Juan Yepez delivered a huge home run for the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday, and he celebrated accordingly.

Friday’s Game 1 of the NLWC between the Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies was a pitchers’ duel. The game was scoreless and there were only four total hits by the time Yepez came to the plate in the 7th inning.

Serving as a pinch-hitter for Corey Dickerson, Yepez took a first-pitch cutter from Jose Alvarado and sent it high down the left field line. The ball stayed fair to give Yepez a 2-run home run and the Cardinals a 2-0 lead.

Welcome to the #Postseason, Juan Yepez!#GrindThePepper pic.twitter.com/q1Fxwsv4KA

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) October 7, 2022

Yepez watched the ball to see if it would stay fair. Once it was officially a home run, Yepez celebrated with a bat flip.

#POSTSEASON ENERGY!! pic.twitter.com/wqXjkomdbb

— MLB (@MLB) October 7, 2022

We have liftoff. Juan Yepez with the pinch-hit, two run homer to give the Cardinals a 2-0 lead. pic.twitter.com/lyXuns9Lxi

— Scott Boeck (@ScottBoeck) October 7, 2022

Yepez, 24, batted .253 with a .742 OPS during his rookie season. He’s quickly building a postseason legacy with the Cardinals.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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