Ben Zobrist has the best day of his career as he drives in 10 runs in a doubleheader sweep of the Twins by the Rays

2011 – Ben Zobrist has the best day of his career as he drives in 10 runs in a doubleheader sweep of the Twins by the Rays, 15 – 3 and 6 – 1. Zobrist goes 7 for 10 with 2 homers and 3 doubles in the two games; his 8 RBI in the opener are a team record. Zobrist finishes with 18 RBI in a five-game period, the best by any AL player since Reggie Jackson in 1969. The injury-racked Twins feature a depleted line-up, with emergency starter Anthony Swarzak losing the nightcap and LF Rene Tosoni making his major league debut and getting two hits in the first game.

Twins suffer first rainout in 30 years

Twins suffer first rainout in 30 years

The Minnesota Twins suffered their first rainout at home since 1980, being forced by weather to re-schedule today’s game against the Orioles as part of a day-night doubleheader on May 8th. The Twins played indoors at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome from 1982 to 2009, before moving to outdoors Target Field this year. However interestingly enough, they also did not have a rainout in 1980 or 1981 before moving indoors.

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The Minnesota Twins inaugurate their new outdoor ballpark, Target Field, with a 5 – 2 win over the Red Sox. A host of former Twins greats, including Hall of Famers Harmon Killebrew and Rod Carew, joined by Tony Oliva, Kent Hrbek and Frank Viola, among others, are on hand to witness the historic game. Carl Pavano picks up the win while Joe Mauer and Jason Kubel pace the offence with three hits and two RBI each.

The Minnesota Twins inaugurate their new outdoor ballpark, Target Field, with a 5 – 2 win over the Red Sox. A host of former Twins greats, including Hall of Famers Harmon Killebrew and Rod Carew, joined by Tony Oliva, Kent Hrbek and Frank Viola, among others, are on hand to witness the historic game. Carl Pavano picks up the win while Joe Mauer and Jason Kubel pace the offence with three hits and two RBI each.

With the same pen he used to sign his rookie contract in 2001, Twins catcher Joe Mauer (.365, 28, 96) signs a $184 million, eight-year contract extension, keeping him with the small market team through 2018. Last year, the 26 year-old backstop, after starting the season on the DL as result of back surgery the previous year, captured his third batting crown and was named the American League’s Most Valuable Player.

With the same pen he used to sign his rookie contract in 2001, Twins catcher Joe Mauer (.365, 28, 96) signs a $184 million, eight-year contract extension, keeping him with the small market team through 2018. Last year, the 26 year-old backstop, after starting the season on the DL as result of back surgery the previous year, captured his third batting crown and was named the American League’s Most Valuable Player.

Ian Kinsler becomes the fifth major leaguer in baseball history to hit both a leadoff and walk-off home run for his team in the same game
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Ian Kinsler becomes the fifth major leaguer in baseball history to hit both a leadoff and walk-off home run for his team in the same game

    On July 19, 2009 Ian Kinsler becomes the fifth major leaguer in baseball history to hit both a leadoff and walk-off home run for his team in the same game. The Rangers’ second baseman led off the bottom of the first inning with a round-tripper off Francisco Liriano, and then ended the contest…

Johan Santana signs a 6-year, $137.5 million deal with the New York Mets

2008 – Johan Santana signs a 6-year, $137.5 million deal with the New York Mets to become the highest-paid pitcher in major league history, breaking Barry Zito’s record. The contract is the penultimate step in a trade of Santana to New York; only a physical remains and this will be passed a day later.

Johan Santana also sets a team strikeout record, this one for a single game, when he fans 17

Johan Santana also sets a team strikeout record, this one for a single game, when he fans 17

Johan Santana also sets a team strikeout record, this one for a single game, when he fans 17, two more than the old Minnesota Twins record. Santana throws two-hit ball and walks none in a 8-inning gem to beat Kevin Millwood, 1 – 0, in a pitcher’s duel. Michael Cuddyer provides the game’s lone run with his 12th homer of the season. Michael Young, the All-Star shortstop, leads the K crowd by striking out all four times against Santana.