Twins Almanac (6/29): Moonlight, Killebrew, Oliva, & More

Oliva Has Eight-Hit Day
Right fielder Tony Oliva collected eight consecutive hits in a doubleheader in Kansas City on this date in 1969, including a 5-for-5 performance with two home runs, a double, and five RBI in Game 2. One of those home runs was a 517-footer that flew over the upper deck and out of Municipal Stadium. 

He reportedly nearly had a three-home run game, with his double bouncing off the top of the wall.

He was lifted for pinch-runner Charlie Manuel in the eighth; otherwise, he would have had a chance for a six-hit game when his spot came up again in the ninth. (Of course, only one player in Twins history has six hits in a game.)

I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that Tony O's eight-straight hits in a single day is a team record. (The team record for consecutive hits overall is 12-straight by José Miranda in July 2024.) 

Bonus Trivia: Oliva hit a pinch-hit grand slam on this date in 1975.

Grand Slam Beats Ryan
Bobby Darwin hit an eighth-inning grand slam off Nolan Ryan for the only runs in a 4-0 Twins win in Anaheim on this date in 1973. Bert Blyleven pitched a four-hit shutout in that game for Minnesota (with only two strikeouts). He led the majors with a team record nine shutouts that season. 

Rookie Homers on First MLB Swing
26-year-old right fielder Andre David's first major league swing resulted in a two-run homer off Hall of Famer Jack Morris on this date in 1984. It was the only home run of David's career.

Eisenreich's Return
In just his fourth game back after being out of the majors dealing with previously undiagnosed Tourette's Syndrome, St. Cloud legend Jim Eisenreich got his first hit with the Royals, doubling as part of a game-winning rally in his first-ever game against the Twins on this date in 1987.

Eisenreich went 4-for-11 (.364) with three doubles, a home run, five RBI, and three runs scored in the series, included a pinch-hit walk-off double in Game 3. (He was also caught stealing once.)

Span Ties Triples Record
Twins center fielder Denard Span tied the modern (since 1900) record with three triples on this date in 2010, going 4-for-4 with a walk, five RBI, and two runs scored altogether in an 11-4 win over the Tigers at Target Field.

Ken Landreaux also hit three triples in a game in 1980.