Washington Nationals Slugger Josh Bell Breaks Modern MLB Record With Wild Home Run

The Washington Nationals were already well on their way to victory Monday night, but Josh Bell had one more highlight left in the tank.

In the top of the ninth inning, the Nationals led the San Diego Padres 9-3. Yuki Matsui got first baseman Nathaniel Lowe to ground out for the first out of the frame before immediately burying Bell in an 0-2 count.

Matsui tried to get Bell to chase a high fastball for the strikeout. And while Bell did take a swing at the pitch far above the zone, he did not strike out.

Instead, Bell made contact with the pitch that was 4.65 feet above the ground when it reached the plate. He sent it 393 feet to left field, adding some insurance with an unlikely solo home run.

According to MLB.com's Sarah Langs, it was the highest pitch hit for a home run since pitch tracking began in 2008.