Strange games that time forgot: Twins 7, Texas 6 -- May 19, 2008

Good times.

June 1, 2012 at 5:52PM
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Welcome to what will hopefully become a new feature here at RandBall: Strange games that time forgot. There are memorable games that obviously stick out in Minnesota sports history. Game 7 of the 1991 World Series, the Vikings' rumble at Lambeau Field in 1998, etc.

But what about the games that don't immediately spring to mind -- that fell through the cracks as time went on? We are here to rescue those odd, quirky games and give them their rightful place. With the help of Stu and Clarence Swamptown, here is the first installment: Twins 7, Rangers 6, from May 19, 2008.

THREE REASONS IT NEEDS TO BE REMEMBERED

1) It was only four years ago, but check out some of these names who played prominent starting roles for the Twins. Starting pitcher: Boof Bonser. Starting third baseman: Mike Lamb. Starting shortstop: Adam Everett. Remember them?

2) And this is where it gets really good. Reliever Bobby Korecky had a very special game. Not only did he enter in the 11th inning, pitching 1.2 innings of shutout ball to earn his first major league victory when the Twins scored in the 12th (more on that in a minute), but he also became the first (and we imagine only still) Twins pitcher to get a hit in the Metrodome. Throughout the course of the 12-inning game, the Twins gave up their DH. So with one out in the 11th, Korecky came up to bat -- and grounded a single into the hole in right. He made it all the way to third base (bases loaded, one out), but Justin Morneau struck out and Michael Cuddyer grounded out to end the threat. Imagine an American League relief pitcher getting the win and scoring the winning run. Alas, it was too good to be true. Still ....

3) Korecky (pictured from the game in question) worked a 1-2-3 top of the 12th, setting the stage for a different hero: Howie Clark. His double to center in the bottom half scored Carlos Gomez with the winning run, giving the Twins a 7-6 victory. It ended up being Clark's only RBI as a Twin -- and it ended up being the final hit in the majors for Howard Roddy Clark.

about the writer

about the writer

Michael Rand

Columnist / Reporter

Michael Rand is the Minnesota Star Tribune's Digital Sports Senior Writer and host/creator of the Daily Delivery podcast. In 25 years covering Minnesota sports at the Minnesota Star Tribune, he has seen just about everything (except, of course, a Vikings Super Bowl).

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