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Unlikely heroes come through

Minor league callups Bobby Korecky and Howie Clark delivered in extra innings, with the former getting five big outs and the latter coming up with the winning hit.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: May 20, 2008 - 8:13 AM

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TWINS 7, TEXAS 6 (12) Up next: 7:10 tonight vs. Texas • Metrodome • TV: FSN (1500-AM)

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A seventh-inning throwing error by Twins pitcher Boof Bonser led to all kinds of chaos Monday night at the Metrodome.

First, came the comeback by the Texas Rangers.

Then, came the game-tying, ninth-inning single by Joe Mauer.

The game went to extra innings, where things really got strange, before Howie Clark -- playing his second game since being recalled from Class AAA Rochester -- gave the Twins a 7-6 victory in the 12th with an RBI double over the head of Rangers center fielder Josh Hamilton.

Twins reliever Bobby Korecky notched his first major league victory -- on the same night he notched his first major league hit.

Korecky, 28, pitched 1 2/3 innings, getting five huge outs when others in the Twins bullpen struggled.

Later, when asked to describe the key to Korecky's success as a pitcher, manager Ron Gardenhire said, "A big heart, for one thing."

Monday's announced crowd of 16,680 would agree. The fans voiced their disapproval as Juan Rincon walked two batters to load the bases with one out in the 11th.

Gardenhire summoned Korecky, who escaped that jam by getting a weak flyout to right from Ian Kinsler and striking out Michael Young.

Then, in the bottom of the 11th, Korecky came to bat with one out.

He was at the plate because Gardenhire had given up the designated hitter's spot in the 10th, when he moved designated hitter Brendan Harris to shortstop, and had no position players left.

Gardenhire told Korecky to take a pitch. Korecky said he was pretty sure he could hit a first-pitch fastball.

That's what Rangers reliever Frank Francisco threw, and Korecky calmly drilled it for an opposite-field single to right field.

"He told me afterward, 'I told you I could hit a first-pitch fastball,' " Gardenhire said.

It was the first time in the DH era (since 1973) a Twins pitcher had delivered a hit in an American League game.

Korecky said it was his first hit since his senior year of college, 2002 for Michigan. He said his last at-bat had come in spring training with the Phillies in 2003.

After making contact, Korecky said, "I realized the right fielder could throw me out at first [base]. And I would have never heard the end of that."

Korecky made it safely. Harris singled, moving him to second, and Mauer walked, loading the bases.

But Francisco escaped that inning by retiring Justin Morneau and Michael Cuddyer. Cuddyer went 0-for-6 and stranded nine batters on base for the game.

"Morneau said he was really glad somebody picked him up tonight," Gardenhire said.

The thanks went to Korecky and Clark, recent teammates at Class AAA Rochester.

Korecky went back and pitched a 1-2-3 12th inning and was finally rewarded with the victory when Clark delivered his first major league walk-off hit, scoring Carlos Gomez from second base.

The Twins doused Clark in shaving cream. Asked if he was sure it was his first major league walk-off hit, Clark said yes.

"I'd remember a moment like this," he said.

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