Lightning's Bishop hits four HRs before Rays game

Tuesday, 06.23.2015 / 8:04 PM NHL.com

Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop hit four home runs, including two in a row, in batting practice before the Tampa Bay Rays faced the Toronto Blue Jays at Tropicana Field in Tampa on Tuesday.

"I got a couple lucky swings," Bishop said, according to The Associated Press. "You can definitely feel it when you hit it on the sweet spot and it goes. It was fun."

Bishop missed Game 4 of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final against the Chicago Blackhawks because of a groin injury, but he ran the bases after his first home run over the left-field wall.

"I was tired after I got about to third base," Bishop said. "I feel healthier. Definitely feeling better. It's getting better every day."

Bishop was joined at Tropicana Field by teammates Steven Stamkos, Brian Boyle, Alex Killorn and Braydon Coburn.

"This is a game that I love," Stamkos said. "I know what's going on out there. These guys are tremendous athletes. This isn't an easy sport to play, as proved by my session. It's fun."

Stamkos, who had 43 goals and 29 assists in 82 regular-season games and 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) in 26 playoff games, is entering the final season of his contract. He can become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

"I'll get back home this week and I'm sure we'll go from there," Stamkos said. "That stuff is going to take care of itself. I think it's a bigger story now because we went so deep [into the playoffs]. I'm not losing any sleep over it."

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