The Twins Almanac for July 6

[Matt Johnson]

Today's Twins Almanac features all-time fan favorites Frank Quilici, Al Newman, Justin Morneau, Matt Lawton, Jason Kubel, Rick Aguilera, and Jack Morris. 

Image courtesy of © RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports

July 6, 1972: Twins Name New Manager
The Twins dismissed manager Bill Rigney and promoted 33-year-old Frank Quilici on this date in 1972. As a player, Quilici tied a World Series record by getting two hits in one inning off the Dodgers’ Don Drysdale in Game 1 in 1965. Quilici is regarded as one of the all-time great guys in Twins history.

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July 6, 1986: Newman Hits Only Career Home Run 
Expos second baseman Al Newman hit his only major league home run off Atlanta’s Zane Smith on this date in 1986. Atlanta's first baseman, Bob Horner, incidentally hit four home runs in the game, with the fourth coming off Jeff Reardon in the ninth. Expos won 11-8.

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July 6, 1990: Morris Pitches One-Hitter, Faces Minimum
Detroit ace Jack Morris pitched a one-hit shutout against the Royals at Tiger Stadium on this date in 1990. He did not issue a walk and faced the minimum. After surrendering a single to Kurt Stillwell in the top of the first, he promptly induced a 4-6-3 double play from George Brett and did not allow another baserunner the next eight innings.

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July 6, 1995: Twins Trade Aguilera
Right in the middle of a game I was watching at my grandparents’ trailer at Pincherry Grove Resort in Cohasset, the Twins traded Rick Aguilera to the visiting Red Sox for Frankie Rodriguez and a minor leaguer on this date in 1995. Aggie jogged in from the bullpen partway through the game and switched clubhouses. He earned the save for the Red Sox at the Metrodome the next night.

He re-signed with the Twins as a free agent following the season.

The Twins later traded first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz to the Red Sox in the middle of a series between the two teams at the Metrodome in July 2004. Mientkiewicz played for the Twins on July 30, and for the visiting Red Sox on July 31.

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July 6, 2001: Lawton Has Four-Game Multiple Extra-Base Hit Streak
Matt Lawton connected for a home run and a double in a 5-4 Twins win over the Reds at home in the Dome on this date in 2001. It was his fourth consecutive game with multiple extra-base hits, establishing a Twins record.

In a remarkable coincidence, Torii Hunter also homered and doubled, beginning his own four-game multi-extra-base hit streak that same day. They are still the only two such streaks in team history. Crazy, right?

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July 6, 2007 (Game 1): Kubel Has Seven-RBI Game
Left fielder Jason Kubel went 2-for-3 with two RBI-sac flies, a grand slam (driving in Mauer, Morneau, and Hunter), and a bases-loaded walk in a 20-14 win over the White Sox in Chicago.

It was the 15th seven-plus RBI game in Twins history. 

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July 6, 2007 (Game 2): Morneau Hits Three Homers
First baseman Justin Morneau had the fourth three-home run game in Twins history (and the first since Tony Oliva 34 years earlier in 1973) in a 12-0 win over the White Sox in Chicago on this date in 2007.

Interesting Fact: There have now been 18 seven-plus RBI games, and 13 three-home run games in Twins history, but the two events have never coincided.

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Finally, happy birthday to my sister Liz today :)

 

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[LambchoP]

Didn't Morneau have a 4 hr game once? I want to say it was in Chicago against the White Sox...