The Minnesota Twins kicked off the most important series of the season so far for them yesterday (Monday), against the Cleveland Guardians, their closest pursuers in the race for the American League Central title.
And the formation of Quebecer Édouard Julien did not do things by halves, putting twenty points on the board and sailing briskly towards a victory of 20 to 6.
The victory raises their record to 72 wins against 66 losses, while their lead is now six games over the Ohio team.
The star of yesterday’s game was certainly rookie Royce Lewis, who had three hits on four at the plate, in addition to driving in six runs.
It was his grand slam, however, that caught the eye, as it was his third of the season, with all three coming in the last eight days.
Lewis thus became the fourth player in MLB history to hit three grand slams in eight games, joining Larry Parrish (1982), Jim Northrup (1968) and Lou Gehrig (1931). He is, however, the first rookie to achieve the feat.
Prior to entering the 2022 season, Lewis was ranked as the number one prospect in the Twins organization. And he hasn’t disappointed since his arrival in the show.
Due to injury, Lewis has just 167 at-bats this year, but is batting .317 with 11 longs and 39 RBIs. Let’s say it bodes very well for the rest of his career.
The Twins and Guardians will face off again tonight at Progressive Field. For the occasion, the right-hander Sonny Gray will automatically be for the Twins. He will face Guardians rookie Tanner Bibee.
Cleveland can’t afford to miss the next two games.
