Quebecer Édouard Julien hit his third major league home run Wednesday afternoon in Minnesota, propelling the Twins to a 7-1 win over the San Francisco Giants.
As the Twins’ leadoff hitter in the game, Julien catapulted pitcher Anthony DeSclafani’s offering 407 feet from home plate behind the Target Field fence in the bottom of the first. His teammates welcomed him into the dugout by presenting him with the fisherman’s jacket reserved for the team’s newest hitter with a long ball.
“It was my first at Target [Field] and I will always remember it, commented Julien, about his circuit, quoted on the Twins website at the end of the meeting. It was cool, in the opposite field and more. It’s always satisfying to hit a home run to the opposite field.”
Julien’s bombshell set the tone for the game as Minnesota took a 5-1 lead after the first three innings. The 24-year-old Quebecer himself produced a second run in this game, in the Twins’ second turn at bat, using a sacrifice fly that pushed his teammate Matt Walner home.
Two points scored
Two RBIs in this game, but also two runs scored. In the fourth, Julien took a walk from DeSclafani to better cross the paying plate, a little later, following a bad throw from the Giants gunner.
DeSclafani (3-4) was credited with the loss after allowing seven runs, including four earned, in five innings of work. He also allowed a home run to Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers.
Starter Joe Ryan also earned a seventh win in eight decisions for the Minnesota club this season, giving up just one run in five innings. With a 26-24 record, the Twins lead the American League Central Division.
On the second pillow
Officially recalled by the Twins on Saturday, Julien had hit his first two home runs during his first spell in major league baseball last month. In his second career game, he hit a long ball at Yankee Stadium on April 13, before repeating the feat the following week at Fenway Park.
About Wednesday’s game, Julien was playing at second base defensively. He made a mistake in the fifth inning, but had previously made a fine play in the top of the second, pinning runner Casey Schmitt who was trying to score from third base after grounding out to the infield.
Julien was at his 13e major league baseball game. He now has a .205 batting average, six RBIs and as many runs scored.
2023-05-24 23:27:19
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