Russell Branyan has hit two Ruthian blasts in the past three days.

Russell Branyan watches Wednesday's blast over the Black Monster. (Brandi Stafford photo) | ZOOM |

        On Tuesday, he became the first Red to hit a ball over the “Black Monster,” the 40-foot-high wall at Cinergy Field. The homer was estimated at 437 feet. On Thursday, he hit a 403-foot red-seater to right field.

        You think those were prodigious? Branyan hit a home run that defied physics during a 2001 exhibition game against the Houston Astros in Venezuela. There were no formulas there by which to estimate it, but witnesses said the rocket shot traveled almost 500 feet.

        On the Astros' flight back to the States, the pilot got on the intercom to give a guided tour and talk about cloud formations.

        “And if you look out the window to your left,” he deadpanned, “you will see that ball Russell Branyan hit off Jose Lima.”

        Chicago Cubs outfielder Moises Alou, a former Astro, reminded Branyan of that blast when Alou reached first in Thursday's game, right after the Reds first baseman hit the red-seater.

Cubs 7, Reds 6 Reds Box, Runs Branyan's pop becomes legend Reds Notebook: Moehler relegated to bullpen Cubs' McGriff savors 1,500th RBI Cardinals 3, Astros 2 Giants take wild-card lead Rockies 5, Dodgers 4 Brewers 8, Diamondbacks 4 Angels 3, Rangers 2 Athletics 5, Mariners 0

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