The Twins Almanac, June 13, 2025: Jason Kubel Hits Walkoff Grand Slam

[Matt Johnson]

Today's Almanac features an epic pitchers' duel between Johan Santana and Curt Schilling, culminating in a memorable walk-off grand slam; a team-record 28-hit game during which the No. 9 batter hit three home runs; the first interleague game in Twins history; a power outburst by a St. Paul Saints slugger' the Brooklyn Dodgers come to town, and a heckuva hot streak by a Sauk Rapids native.

---

Jason Kubel Hits Walkoff Grand Slam
Johan Santana and Boston’s Curt Schilling locked horns in a classic pitchers duel at the Metrodome on this date in 2006, allowing just one run each when Jason Varitek and Michael Cuddyer traded two-out homers in the seventh inning. Both pitchers went eight innings, with Santana striking out 13 without issuing a walk.

The Red Sox loaded the bases with one out in the top of the 12th inning. Alex Gonzalez hit a potential double-play grounder, but beat the throw to first, allowing Mike Lowell to score the go-ahead run.

With Boston now in front 3-2, Julian Tavarez got Joe Mauer looking to lead off the bottom of the 12th. Michael Cuddyer was then hit by a pitch and Justin Morneau hit a ground rule-double to put runners on second and third. Boston intentionally walked Torii Hunter to load the bases, setting up a force at home and/or double play. Jason Kubel had other plans, however, working a full count before driving the seventh pitch of the at-bat over the fence for a walk-off grand slam.

Bonus Fact: Justin Morneau hit a grand slam the next day in a 8-1 win over the Red Sox.

---

Twins Get 28 Hits; Rosario Hits Three Homers
The Twins beat the Mariners 20-7 at Target Field on this date in 2017, setting a franchise record with 28 hits.

Left fielder Eddie Rosario—batting ninth—went 4-for-5 with three home runs, five RBI, and three runs scored. It was the seventh three-home run game in Twins history. (I missed the third home run because I was assembling our daughter's crib.)

Rosario was the fifth player in major league history to hit three home runs in a game batting ninth. The others were Trot Nixon, Dale Sveum, Art Shamsky, and knuckleballer Jim Tobin on May 14, 1942.

Third baseman Eduardo Escobar went 5-for-6 in the 20-7 win over Seattle. Kennys Vargas, Jason Castro, and Rosario all had four hits. The only Twin in the starting lineup without multiple hits was first baseman Joe Mauer. (Don’t worry—he still had the highest average on the team.)

---

First Interleague Game
In a matchup of dome teams, the Twins played their first ever interleague game in Houston on this date in 1997. Chuck Knoblauch led off the game with a ground-ball single to center, and ultimately went 4-for-4 with a walk, three RBI, and a run scored, finishing a home run short of the cycle.

Paul Molitor hit a two-run homer in the seventh, driving in Rich Becker to put the Twins up 6-1. They went on to win 8-1.

Brad Radke pitched eight innings, allowing just the one run on a Jeff Bagwell homer (surprise, surprise). Mike Trombley pitched a 1-2-3 ninth.

---

Saint Slugs Three Homers
St. Paul Saints slugger Chris Williams hit three home runs and knocked in seven in Game 1 of a five-game series in Louisville on this date in 2023. 

He hit two more home runs in Game 2, and yet another in Game 3. Obviously, he was named International League Player of the Week. 

---

Brooklyn Dodgers Play Game in St. Paul 

Duke Snider, Roy Campanella, and Gil Hodges homered and Don Drysdale earned the win with five innings of relief as the Brooklyn Dodgers beat the St. Paul Saints 7-2 in an exhibition game on this date in 1956. 

It was the Saints' final season at Lexington Park. Midway opened in 1957.

 

---

Repulski Rips the Cover Off the Ball

Sauk Rapids native Rip Repulski connected for five hits in a doubleheader on this date in 1954, beginning a streak of 10-straight multi-hit games over which he went 22-for-44 (.500) with half of those hits going for extra bases, including five homers.

It was part of 16-game hit streak overall.

Rip had begun the season with a pair of hits in each of the Cardinals' first three games, and at least one hit in 14 of the their first 15 games of the season.

View full article