MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Twins slugger Jim Thome has homered in his first two at-bats against Tampa Bay to surpass Harmon Killebrew for 10th place on the career list with 574 home runs.
Thome hit a 1-0 pitch from starter Wade Davis to the opposite field in the second inning Saturday and it just barely reached the seats in left field for his ninth homer of the season.
His second of the game was a no-doubter that landed in the bullpen in left-center in the fourth inning. The team played a previously taped message from the beloved Killebrew congratulating Thome on the achievement.
Thome signed a one-year deal with the Twins to chase the World Series title that has eluded him in 17 years in the big leagues. He’s been a boon for Minnesota with 10 homers and 24 RBIs in just 121 at-bats.
