For the second time this season, Matt Waller strapped the Minnesota Twins onto his back and carried them out of a hole. For the first time, however, he did it by hitting a grand slam.
Wallner hit the first grand slam of his career on Tuesday night at Target Field, and in doing so gave the Twins a late lead over the Detroit Tigers. the blast came in the bottom of the sixth with Minnesota down 2-1 and facing yet another frustrating loss.
It’s the sort of hole we’ve seen the Twins in more than a few times this year, but usually the offense remains quite and ineffective. Wallner, who has been on a heater recently, changed that trend with one swing.
How fitting that Wallner provided some offensive firepower on a night when another young spark plug returned to the lineup. Royce Lewis returned to the Twins after missing the last 36 games, but showcased the same offensive support in his first few games after getting called up during a series against Houston.
Wallner has been with the Twins for a while so that’s a stretch of an anecdote, but it’s never a bad thing to remind everyone how dangerous the Minnesota lineup can be when everything is clicking.
A grand slam is a pretty hardcore way to click.
Listen to Twins radio call of Matt Wallner’s first career grand slam
Usually Cory Provus is on the call for these sorts of moments, but Dan Gladden was on the mic when Wallner hit his bomb. Even the typically laid back Gladden was roused to life by the grand slam to deliver a pretty awesome call.
Twins pounce on the Tigers bullpen in the 6th inning, highlighted by Matt Wallner's first career grand slam! Check out #twinsradio call here, @Twins lead Detroit 5-2 in the 7th... pic.twitter.com/1qQmlzJYaS
— TwinsRadio (@TwinsRadio) August 16, 2023
While we’re at it, here’s the Bally Sports North broadcast with Dick Bremer and Justin Morneau on the call:
450 FT GRAND SLAM FOR MATT WALLNER ‼️‼️‼️#MNTwins
— Twins Talk (@LetsTalk_Twins) August 16, 2023
pic.twitter.com/GmABkhxA0I
Minnesota was able to hang onto the lead after Wallner’s grand slam, a welcomed change in direction from what happened in their last meeting with Detroit. The win also helped the Twins increase their lead over Cleveland atop the AL Central, which makes Wallner’s blast even sweeter.
Watching Wallner’s blast on a night that Royce Lewis returned was truly a sight for sore eyes, and coupling it with knowing guys like Edouard Julien, Alex Kirllioff, and Brooks Lee could all be doing similarly great offensive things in the same lineup is something to get very excited about.