The New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins played an old fashioned slugfest (and perhaps juiced ball fest) on Tuesday night at Target Field.
The Yankees came out on top 14-12 in the 10th inning, but it appeared the Twins may win the game when Max Kepler smoked a line drive deep into the left-center field gap with two outs and the bases loaded. However, New York center fielder Aaron Hicks put together an absurd effort to track the ball down and secure the Yankees’ victory.
This would be a remarkable catch in any situation, but especially to save a game (and a classic game at that):
OMG! AARON HICKS! pic.twitter.com/3CzjrWn8HR
— MLB (@MLB) July 24, 2019
Kepler’s 103-mph line drive had an expected batting average of .560.
This Max Kepler shot had an exit velocity of 103 mph and traveled 376 feet. According to Statcast, it had an xBA of .560. Aaron Hicks cares not for these numbers. pic.twitter.com/fIW714R7Gu
— Sam Dykstra (@SamDykstraMiLB) July 24, 2019
Oh, and Hicks hit a two-run homer to give the Yankees a 12-11 lead in the top of the ninth.
This game is BANANAS. pic.twitter.com/fUIk9LKOuS
— MLB (@MLB) July 24, 2019
So, that’s quite a clutch night at the ballpark.
This wild game was also a potential playoff preview, with the Yankees (AL East) and Twins (AL Central) leading their respective divisions.