Kody Clemens keeps finding ways to lift the Minnesota Twins when they need it most.
The Twins acquired Clemens from the Philadelphia Phillies back on April 25 for cash considerations – one of those depth moves that barely registers at the time. That transaction has turned into something special, keeping Minnesota in the AL Wild Card hunt even with star Byron Buxton sidelined.
Thursday delivered the latest chapter.
Clemens connected on MLB’s 34th ultimate grand slam, powering the Twins to a 4-3 walk-off win over the Kansas City Royals at Target Field. What makes this different is the Twins didn’t record a hit until the seventh inning and still found a way to win it in dramatic fashion.
They became the third team ever to rally from a three-run, two-out, bases-empty deficit in the final inning.
Since establishing himself as Minnesota’s middle-of-the-order solution this season, Clemens has kept his approach simple.
“Trying to get good swings off, that’s really all I’m trying to do,” Clemens told MLB Network.
That approach worked perfectly against Royals reliever Matt Strahm (3-4) on Thursday.
Could This Change Everything at the Deadline?
With Buxton on the 10-day IL with a hip issue, most league insiders started writing off the Twins’ postseason chances. Clemens, a 30-year-old journeyman, has other ideas.
He’s emerged as a legitimate middle-of-the-order threat, matching his career high with 19 homers while posting career bests in batting average (.244) and RBI (53).
The ninth-inning heroics unfolded quickly Thursday. Royals closer Lucas Erceg allowed three straight baserunners, bringing in Strahm to face Clemens with the bases loaded.
Strahm jumped ahead 0-2. Then Clemens turned on a low 82-mph slider.
It was the second ultimate grand slam this season – the first came June 10 in a similar situation.
Making History
With Royals starter Noah Cameron carrying a no-hitter into the eighth inning, the Twins became the first team to break up a no-hit bid in the seventh inning or later and finish that same game with a walk-off grand slam.
Clemens also joined exclusive company – he’s now the third player to hit a game-winning slam for a team trailing by three with two outs and nobody on base in the final frame. The others? Brian Giles (July 28, 2001) and Ryan Roberts (Sept. 27, 2011).
Entering their series at Seattle, the Twins (55-55) sit just one game behind in the AL Wild Card race, even without Buxton anchoring their lineup.
Last season’s quiet Clemens acquisition didn’t move the needle much at the time. Now it’s the kind of move that could shift Minnesota from sellers to buyers as Monday’s trade deadline approaches.
All things considered, that’s not bad for a cash considerations deal.
