Twins 9, Diamondbacks 8: Kody Clemens' Three-Homer Night Fuels Wild Walk-off Win

[cheeseheadgophfan]

3 hours ago, Old Crow said:

Hope Ryan can go long tonight.  Not much left in the calf pen.

Even when fully rested, there's not much left in the calf pen......SMH

[strumdatjag]

After all that has happened to this team in the last 2 months, I was shocked to see that many at Target Field.  And most stayed to watch the walk-off win.  
Yes, Jhoan Duran would have shut down the D-Backs in the top of the ninth. 
but that wouldn’t have been as much fun. 

[purplesoldier4u]

14 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

During this slog of a season, Kody Clemens has been the difference for several games we won. No reason not to keep him heading into 2026 as AAAA depth at the very least. 

Kody freakin' Clemens ... who would have thought? Three bombs in a game and nineteen for the season! If he and Outman didn't have so many bad at-bats, they could become really dangerous hitters! Watching the Royals reminded he how good "quality" AB's be. Th power is there, they just need to tone down the ugly swings, I guess.

[mluebker]

6 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

Clemens stats don't look that great but he often gets big hits when it really matters. They were a big reason why we won the game.

I like the guy and think he’s earned a regular spot in the lineup. Someone used the term “difference makers” a few days back, and that’s hard to measure with just statistics. He’s had a knack for delivering the big hit when the Twins need it, despite what his numbers say.

[Patzky]

2 hours ago, jorgenswest said:

The stat lines are showing different things. He is doing damage against right handed pitching once the lefty leaves the game. Batting at the bottom of the order he probably sees that lefty twice at most. He is also doing damage as a pinch hitter. Pinch hitting is harder coming in cold so that is valuable. Larnach for his career also does well in games started by a lefty. Wallner has not done well in games started by lefty.

At the end of the day it is the bigger picture of performance that matters. As a Twin Clemens has a better than league average OPS in games started by a left handed pitcher and right handed pitcher. All of samples are small though. It is enough that I would want to see next year. Jeffers is another player that has this odd split. Over his career he has been better in games started by a right handed pitcher than left handed pitcher though the splits are quite the opposite. Jeffers finds his way to make an impact in those games in spite of starting with a platoon disadvantage.

He can bunt. That's a thing.

[Mahoning]

You can where all this is headed. For the -- ahem -- cost-conscious Twins management, Clemens will be planned as the regular 1B next year. Martin the regular LF. Could be worse!

Clemens's power numbers this year look consistent with some of his minor league seasons. Playing regularly he might be a 25 homerun player. And, most important, cheap.

[Swing Batter-Batter]

17 hours ago, jkcarew said:

I’m concerned the bullpen might not hold up in the playoffs.

They might not make it to game 162.