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Marlins' Isan Diaz hits first homer during dad's interview

By Alex Butler

Aug. 6 (UPI) -- One of the Miami Marlins' top prospects hit his first career homer run against the New York Mets while his dad was being interviewed in the seats at Citi Field.

Isan Diaz hit the solo shot in the first game of a double header against the New York Mets Monday in Queens. The Marlins trailed 6-1 when the 23-year-old infielder came up to the plate to face Mets ace Jacob deGrom in the top of the sixth inning.

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"It was a great moment, something I'll never forget," Diaz told Fox Sports Florida.

DeGrom began the exchange by earning an 0-2 lead in the count. Diaz took a changeup for a ball before fouling off deGrom's fourth offering. DeGrom then threw in a 96.8 mph fastball.

Diaz's father, Raul, was talking to Fox Sports Florida when his son was at the plate.

"We were fortunate," Raul Diaz said. "We just kept battling and sticking with the right people that wanted us to be at the right place. We sacrificed with our family day in and day out and we managed to get to this point. We are extremely happy for him."

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Diaz mashed the long ball to right field just as his dad finished speaking and his mom and other family members gave their thoughts. Raul jumped up and screamed into the microphone. The 421-foot blast had an exit velocity of 103 mph and left the field in 4.9 seconds, according to Statcast.

Diaz went 1-for-4 with an RBI, a run scored and a strikeout in the 6-2 setback. He went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a walk in the second game of the doubleheader, which the Marlins lost 5-4 at Citi Field.

The Marlins resume the series against the Mets at 7:10 p.m. EDT Tuesday in Queens. Diaz is MLB Pipeline's No. 86 overall prospect. He ranks No. 5 in the Marlins organization.

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