Twins 4, Royals 3: Thome Hits Career Homer 596 as Twins Move Within Five of AL Central Leader

by Jesse on Jul 17, 2011 5:14 PM EDT in Game Recaps

596_medium

On a swealtering afternoon at Target Field in which the Heat Index was well over 100 degrees, it couldn't have been easy for the guys as they took their positions on the grass. Hydration was key and the pitchers tried to be efficient to get their defenses off the field as quickly as possible. But after a pair of first inning runs from both the Twins and the Royals, the game hit an offensive lull.

Felipe Paulino and Brian Duensing matched zeroes over the next four-and-a-half innings, until Jim Thome stepped in with two on and two out. On a full count Paulino finally made the one big mistake we'd all been waiting for him to make, and hung a fat slider. Thome blew it up, launching in 490 feet into the Minneapolis sky. It's the longest home run at Target Field to date.

Check out Delmon's reaction:

Delmon_s_reaction_2_medium

Be sure to check out our caption contest over at our Facebook page. And of course the rest of our recap, after the jump.

Following Thome's historic blast, the Royals finally got to Duensing again. Billy Butler doubled to lead off the inning, and Jeff Francoeur would homer to bring Kansas City within a run. But Alex Burnett disposed of the last two batters to finish off the frame and preserve the lead.

In the eighth it was Glen Perkins with another perfect performance, and in the ninth Joe Nathan came on for his second save in as many nights and his third game in a row with an appearance. Butler and Eric Hosmer (who had a couple of really nice defensive plays) popped out, and Danny Valencia made a good play to end it on a Francoeur grounder.

Game Notes

Ben Revere, Alexi Casilla and Joe Mauer all managed a pair of hits today. Joe also came away with a walk and a run batted in.
Mauer's walk was intentional, which seems an insult to Michael Cuddyer who struck out immediately after. Cuddyer was intentionally walked later in the game, in order to face Thome...who had launched the three-run homer in his late plate appearance. Thome struck out. Niether IBB seemed tactically sound to me, but they worked out.
Valencia, Trevor Plouffe and Tsuyoshi Nishioka combined to go 0-for-9 at the bottom of the order.
Duensing didn't have the best command today, but he still induced a lot of ground balls (11 groundouts today). Some of those were very well-struck.
The Twins are now just 5 games back! IT IS HAPPENING.

Studs

Revere, Casilla, Mauer, Thome, Duensing, Burnett, Perkins, Nathan

Duds

Nobody - I don't like duds when we win 3/4

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Comments

It really is happening

will it continue?…..taking 3 of 4 from Cleveland would be huge and that’s exactly what the boys need to do.

The beard abides.

by Jason Kubel's Beard on Jul 17, 2011 5:16 PM EDT reply actions

It is unreal

The starting pitching came together and that’s the difference.

by DJL44 on Jul 17, 2011 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually

It is Michael Cuddyer and Jim Thome who made the difference in these games. Carl Pavano and Brian Duensing really didn’t have their best stuff. Both of them gave up runs late in their game. What also helped was that Joe Nathan came in and saved the last two games. As for Matt Capps, he made his last appearance in a Twins uniform Friday Night. Target Field is just too toxic for him to pitch.

I'm a proud fan of the Minnesota Twins and Dallas Cowboys!
"Life is precious and time is a key element. Let’s make every moment count and help those who have a greater need than our own." – Harmon Killebrew

by Jessy S on Jul 17, 2011 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Jessy

we are talking about on the whole season. The starting pitching came together and that has been the key to our success.

...formerly known as 33MorneauMVP

by BCTwins on Jul 18, 2011 1:52 AM EDT up reply actions

I think you are just picking on me

There have been many variations on this, but I realize that the starting pitching has been there since May. What I am saying is that the efforts of Jim Thome and Michael Cuddyer have been the reason for winning the last few games with an assist from Joe Nathan. It all goes back to Carl Pavano beating a trash can senseless back to finish our first trip to Kansas City. But the thing is that we have trouble generating offense, and our bullpen has been blowing leads with Matt Capps the latest offender. Now all that needs to be done is that Joe Mauer needs to start hitting more consistently. I don’t expect him to hit 500 ft bombs, but all I want him to do is get hits, get on base, knock in runs, and score runs including homeruns. That is the same with all other players.

by Jessy S on Jul 18, 2011 2:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Joe Mauer

Correct me if I am wrong, but he has already started hitting more consistently.
He’s hitting over .333 since the Whitesox series with more walks than strikeouts.

by twinscrazy_german on Jul 18, 2011 6:45 AM EDT up reply actions

.379/.500/.414 in the past two series

.328/.435/.379 in the past five (17G back through LAD).

His WAR just ticked positive (0.1) for the first time all year. That’s not something to get too excited about but its a milestone nonetheless. ;-)

I agree about the pitching though. We actually scored more runs in May than we did in June, but gave up 48 less. Starters going deeper into games has freed us to use the bullpen more strategically.

by DavidRF on Jul 18, 2011 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions

+1

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Jul 18, 2011 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I think you're kidding yourself as far as Capps goes.

I’m sure he’ll be around the rest of the season, not as closer, but he’s not going anywhere, IMO.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"God grab your neck but never choke" -Ozzie Guillen

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Jul 18, 2011 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Delmon's reaction is hilarious.

It’s totally happening.

WordUpThome: OUR COMPTROLLER OF SECOND BASE AFFAIRS HAS BEEN HIT IN THE SHINJO BY A METEOR
Tweet me! @jessicann713

by fischean on Jul 17, 2011 5:18 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Yeah, the video is just as good.

You get Delmon in slow-mo near the end of the Thome clip here.

He looks truly shocked.

by Luke in MN on Jul 18, 2011 7:29 AM EDT up reply actions

That thing is out like fat kid at dodgeball

then realizing he could be that fat kid, Delmon hides the hibachi.

by Black Metallic on Jul 17, 2011 5:21 PM EDT reply actions

Burnett was perfect ....

2 pitches, 2 outs.

by BD57 on Jul 17, 2011 5:33 PM EDT reply actions

Tomorrow: 27 pitches

by twinscrazy_german on Jul 17, 2011 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions

"Today we learned Delmon Young has the same reaction to Thome bombs as he does to balls hit at him in left field."

Meanwhile, via Twitter, Nishi immediately sprinted to Gardy’s office after Japan’s win. Can’t wait to see what shirt Gardy has to wear.

"It happened in the moment, and it happened." - Carlos Gomez

by myjah on Jul 17, 2011 5:34 PM EDT reply actions

Haha

This is cool

by twinscrazy_german on Jul 17, 2011 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Nishi and Gardy made a bet

Gardy now has to wear whatever shirt Nishi chooses.

"It happened in the moment, and it happened." - Carlos Gomez

by myjah on Jul 17, 2011 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions

with the help of photoshop, I'm sure TwinkieTown could help with some suggestions!

;-)

by DavidRF on Jul 17, 2011 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm thinking Brian Wilson

And the spandex tux.

But I don’t have time to make the art for it this afternoon.

by ColossusOfRhode on Jul 17, 2011 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm still thinking Vikings cheerleader

But I am alone there.

Which reminds me: Rookie hazing should be fun this year.
Revere (again?), Plouffe, Hughes, potentially James or Tosoni

by twinscrazy_german on Jul 17, 2011 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions

But that shouldn't be right

The rookie hazing the manager?

by Jessy S on Jul 17, 2011 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Nishi too

he’s a rookie here

"There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem—once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit." -Al Gallagher

by twinsgirl197 on Jul 17, 2011 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I know

That is why I said that it shouldn’t be right.

by Jessy S on Jul 17, 2011 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I was replying to twinscrazy_german

to add to his group of rookies

"There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem—once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit." -Al Gallagher

by twinsgirl197 on Jul 17, 2011 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

In a way I was correcting Twinscrazy as well

What Nishi is going to do with Gardy is about the same as you managing to make a senior at your school look bad. Let’s face it, you might have to do some upper classman’s laundry this year.

by Jessy S on Jul 17, 2011 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions

haha I have made seniors look bad before...

while I was a sevey I actually proved them wrong when they were trying to help our math sub understand what she was supposed to be teaching. OK well that wasn’t that bad but I have a bunch of friends who are seniors, I’m safe

I called Thome's 596th home run! BOOM! :D

by twinsgirl197 on Jul 17, 2011 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Losing a bet isn't anything like Hazing

by twinscrazy_german on Jul 18, 2011 6:47 AM EDT up reply actions

But Gardy went in on the bet!

Nishi was going to have to wear a shirt if USA won.

"It happened in the moment, and it happened." - Carlos Gomez

by myjah on Jul 17, 2011 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I knew I forgot someone

by twinscrazy_german on Jul 18, 2011 6:46 AM EDT up reply actions

You don't get hazed 2x

Plouffe, Hughes, Nishioka, Tosoni

by DJL44 on Jul 17, 2011 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Plouffe was hazed last year

He had to dress up as Bruno in the yellow lederhosen shorty-shorts.

This year’s victims will be Nishi (and Ryo), Hughes, Diamond, and Tosoni.

by leo3375 on Jul 17, 2011 6:49 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Don't forget

Ben Revere will have to undergo hazing too. I am sure he might have to dress up like a high school cheerleader.

by Jessy S on Jul 17, 2011 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Ben has already been hazed though

I called Thome's 596th home run! BOOM! :D

by twinsgirl197 on Jul 17, 2011 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions

What did they make him do?

by spanspanspan on Jul 17, 2011 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Last year's rookie hazing victims

Danny Valencia (Borat), Alex Burnett (Muhammad Ali), Drew Butera (Gary), Jeff Manship (Ace), Ben Revere (DJ Lance Rock), Trevor Plouffe (Bruno)

by leo3375 on Jul 17, 2011 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Lucky Twinsgirl

by spanspanspan on Jul 17, 2011 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions

actually I find that pic super awkward...

Danny should wrok on a six pack… Just saying… lol

I called Thome's 596th home run! BOOM! :D

by twinsgirl197 on Jul 17, 2011 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah that does look a bit

strange

by spanspanspan on Jul 17, 2011 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions

And he has love handles

Steve Goodman lives.

by twinsbrewer on Jul 18, 2011 2:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Alex Burnett must have paid someone off.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"God grab your neck but never choke" -Ozzie Guillen

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Jul 18, 2011 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions

It's funny because they're gay!

Oh wait. No it’s not. It’s homophobic bullshit.. “Ha ha we made you dress up like that one gay guy from that one movie/tv show. It’s like YOU’RE GAY!” Hard to believe this is tolerated in 2011.

by tobynotjason on Jul 18, 2011 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions

If they are gay, I must know

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Jul 18, 2011 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Not homophobic

It’s just plain funny to see anyone in the real world dressed as the Ambiguously Gay Duo. Besides, remember which positions Manship and Butera play. That makes it even funnier.

Even my gay friends got a good laugh out of this.

by leo3375 on Jul 18, 2011 6:35 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

James isn't a rookie

by minnietwinkie on Jul 17, 2011 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions

He's Chuck James, b*tch!

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"God grab your neck but never choke" -Ozzie Guillen

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Jul 18, 2011 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions

My brother's cross country team could help too!

The bridge run is so wrong… and yet so funny!

"There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem—once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit." -Al Gallagher

by twinsgirl197 on Jul 17, 2011 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions

We can only hope

That “Hello Kitty” is involved in some way.

SBNation Minnesota - For the greatest sports fans in the world.
The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!
"Arguing with anonymous strangers on the Internet is a sucker's game because they almost always turn out to be—or to be indistinguishable from—self-righteous sixteen-year-olds possessing infinite amounts of free time." - Neal Stephenson, Cryptonomicon

by Christopher Gates on Jul 17, 2011 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions

LOL That'd be AWESOME!

"It happened in the moment, and it happened." - Carlos Gomez

by myjah on Jul 17, 2011 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions

No Dissing HK

I play in a weekend band, and I use a Hello Kitty Fender Stratocaster for certain songs

but the right pony can be like a friend with benefits...-montanatwinsfan 2/2/11

by carlpavanosmoustache on Jul 17, 2011 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Not a diss at all

Gardy would probably be… less enthused about it, tho.

"It happened in the moment, and it happened." - Carlos Gomez

by myjah on Jul 17, 2011 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Great Picture

Of Delmon and the fans behind him. But the look on Jimmer’s face is the look of greatness

by clutterheart on Jul 17, 2011 5:37 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I like Delmon

He seems to like playing here. Man, I wish he wad hitting 450 ft bombs

by Gunnarthor on Jul 17, 2011 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions

wouldn't you love to have that pic

autographed by Thome & Delmon?

by BD57 on Jul 17, 2011 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I looked it up, because no one seems to know

But it’s spelled Francoeur.

by ColossusOfRhode on Jul 17, 2011 5:38 PM EDT reply actions

I think you got it right in the game thread...

coeur is french for ‘heart’… like ‘Coeur de Lion’

by DavidRF on Jul 17, 2011 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought I was right...

But since I don’t think it’s been spelled the same way twice all day, I wanted to double check.

by ColossusOfRhode on Jul 17, 2011 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I spell it

Franker

by clutterheart on Jul 17, 2011 8:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Holy Shit

I know I’m thinkin big but if we sweep Cleveland. We could be lookin at 1-2 games outta first

Ponder to Harvin for 6!

by Percy Harvin My Fav! on Jul 17, 2011 5:47 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Possibly

But if Detroit wins at all in that period (or Chicago wins a lot), we won’t necessarily be in second place even at that point.

by ColossusOfRhode on Jul 17, 2011 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Next series for both teams

Detroit hosts Oakland while Chicago plays at Kansas City. Hopefully Royals can steal one.

by Jessy S on Jul 17, 2011 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Yep I know

But it could happen.

Ponder to Harvin for 6!

by Percy Harvin My Fav! on Jul 17, 2011 5:54 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Nishi, family, and friends are now running around the field at TF

via Twitter.

"It happened in the moment, and it happened." - Carlos Gomez

by myjah on Jul 17, 2011 5:51 PM EDT reply actions

I so want to see this

by ColossusOfRhode on Jul 17, 2011 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Me too!

Bet it’s just all the Japanese at TF, and there are lots. All those people following him.

"It happened in the moment, and it happened." - Carlos Gomez

by myjah on Jul 17, 2011 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions

so do I!

"There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem—once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit." -Al Gallagher

by twinsgirl197 on Jul 17, 2011 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Luke in MN reverse jinxed Thome's HR in the minor league update earlier this week

Arcia hit a 480-foot homer?
That’s a hot holy bomb. If that’s accurate, it has to put him on a pretty short list in terms of pure power not just in the minors, but on the planet. Hit tracker has only 1 guy, Prince Fielder, hitting a 480-foot-plus homer this year in MLB. 3 people did it last year. 1 the year before. Jim Thome hasn’t hit a 480-foot-plus homer since Hit Tracker started tracking homer distance in 2005. I guess that sort of thing can be a little fluky—wind, temp., mis-measurement—but I’m giving Arcia my write-in vote for an impressive display of pure power.
by Luke in MN on Jul 16, 2011 9:22 AM CDT reply actions

"Nobody wants to hear me rap." - Joe Mauer
"METEOR" - JIM THOME

by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Jul 17, 2011 6:05 PM EDT reply actions

It was so nasty humid at that game

I think even TC’s T-shirt gun was launching 490-foot bombs.

Thome is just a megastud, though, no question.

Steve Goodman lives.

by twinsbrewer on Jul 17, 2011 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions

that's right... this is Arlington/Houston weather

by DavidRF on Jul 17, 2011 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I heard someone say that it was more humid and a higher heat index here than in the Amazon rain forest!

by Gooseke on Jul 17, 2011 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I've been to Thailand

It was pretty much like this for two weeks straight.

You get used to it after a few days, honestly.

by spanspanspan on Jul 17, 2011 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, Sven said that

But maybe spanspanspan’s right and we’ll get used to it.

Steve Goodman lives.

by twinsbrewer on Jul 18, 2011 3:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Awesome.

But I’m sure Thome’s never hit 5 consecutive 500-foot homers. Never happened. Ever. (/reverse jinx)

(In all seriousness, a 490-foot homer is really cool.)

by Luke in MN on Jul 18, 2011 7:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Both intentional walks seem reasonable to me.

Walk a guy with a big favorable platoon split to get to a guy with a big unfavorable platoon split.

This team really needs bench players. Plouffe needs to stay up when Span and Kubel come back, that will help.

by timprov on Jul 17, 2011 6:06 PM EDT reply actions

That was a classic Cuddyer performance today.

GIDP, chasing balls out of the strikezone, ugly swings. Glad he’s been so good all season.

by Panthers FTW on Jul 17, 2011 6:19 PM EDT reply actions

It's a jinx!

I was going to write how Cuddyer a) has not struck out nearly as much and b) has done a good job making contact with or laying off sliders. So obviously it was a cue for 0-3, 2 Ks and a GDP.

by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Jul 17, 2011 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Glad to see Nathan back in the closer's role

And looking like he’s really regaining his form. The team is just getting more and more fun to watch…the unwatchable beginning of the season seems like a lifetime ago.

Also, Thome’s taters seem to be getting more and more mammoth. Maybe it’s just the grandiosity of getting towards 600.

When I was a kid, I would cover a blue futon with a white blanket, prop it up with a fan set on high, and pretend it was the Metrodome. That should tell you a lot.

by MarshalltheIrish on Jul 17, 2011 7:50 PM EDT reply actions

He's just trying to find his aim

So he can hit the red Thome 599 sign in CF for his 600th.

by spanspanspan on Jul 17, 2011 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions

He hit one just below it earlier in the year

And this one was just to the right

by spanspanspan on Jul 17, 2011 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Bracketing.

by timprov on Jul 17, 2011 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions

He wants to hit his 600th 600 feet.

Can you blame him?

by timprov on Jul 17, 2011 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think anybody hit 600 feet home runs.

It is hard to measure the distance, but one could argue that Thome’s was a tad over 500 feet today.

by Jessy S on Jul 17, 2011 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Pffff.

Thome’s going to hit the Target Center.

by spanspanspan on Jul 17, 2011 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions

It's Possible

The east end of the building is in fair territory.

by Jessy S on Jul 18, 2011 3:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Now that the Metrodome is up again

it’s primed for Thome to put another hole in it.

by timprov on Jul 18, 2011 8:15 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Caption:

“Holy mother! Somebody fire up the Hibachi cause we’re havin’ us some DEEP Flied Taters”

"We’re all in this boat together. Everybody grab an oar."
-Tom Kelly

by Go Twins! on Jul 17, 2011 8:41 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

JI

JIM!

by spanspanspan on Jul 17, 2011 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Correction

Neither IBB seemed tactically sound to me, but they worked out.

Mauer scored in front of Thome’s homer. When an IBB scores, you can say the strategy backfired.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Jul 17, 2011 11:47 PM EDT reply actions

The Strategy may have backfired

But Cuddyer did make an out. The pitcher just got careless with Thome in the end. You don’t throw a meatball right down the middle on any pitch and expect a slugger to look silly by swinging and missing. A Curveball low and inside should have been the receipe on that 3-2 pitch. The result would have either been Thome striking out to end the inning and Kansas City eventually wins 3-1 or Thome walks to load the bases and bring up Delmon Young.

by Jessy S on Jul 18, 2011 3:14 AM EDT up reply actions