Phillies legend of Kody Clemens continues to grow with massive game against Blue Jays

The Philadelphia Phillies called Kody Clemens back to Philadelphia on Saturday when shortstop Trea Turner was placed on the 10-day IL with a hamstring strain. The slugger didn't get a start until the Phillies' Tuesday night game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Manager Rob Thomson inserted the 27-year-old infielder into the lineup at third base as an extra left-hander to face Jays' right-handed starter José Berríos. Clemens certainly made the most of his opportunity and made Thomson look like a genius.

Phillies legend of Kody Clemens continues to grow with massive game against Blue Jays

Clemens, batting eighth, started his night with a no-doubt two-run home run in the second inning, with Bryce Harper's bat no less. With Bryson Stott dancing off second base, Berríos threw two changeups in a row to Clemens, who mashed the second one 383 feet to right field, putting the Phillies up 3-0 at the time.

Clemens wasn't done there. In his second at-bat, with Edmundo Sosa on first base, he roped a Berríos fastball off the outside corner to center field. The ball trailed toward left center, evading a leaping Kevin Kiermaier, one of the best defensive center fielders in baseball.

As the ball ricocheted off the wall and rolled back toward center, everyone in the ballpark and watching at home started thinking the same thing: inside-the-park home run. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be, as Clemens stumbled slightly around second base and was held up at third. Still, an RBI triple added to Clemens' impressive early-game performance and extended the lead to 4-0.

Clemens topped off his night by knocking in his fourth RBI and the Phillies' 10th run of the game in the eighth inning with a broken bat grounder.

Kody Clemens impressing in his limited MLB at-bats this season

If you recall, Clemens' first start of the season came when Bryce Harper went on the paternity list a couple of weeks ago. In the April 22 game against the Cincinnati Reds, Clemens hit a three-run home run and went 2-for-4.

After Tuesday's game, he's now 4-for-9 in his three appearances with the Phillies this season. He's hitting .444 with a 1.888 OPS, two home runs, seven RBI and three runs scored.

In 49 games with the Phillies in 2023, Clemens hit .230 with a .644 OPS with four home runs and 13 RBI. This season with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the former third-round pick is hitting .247 with a .746 OPS, three home runs, three steals and 16 RBI.