Korecky helps Twins to victory

It isn't every day that an American League pitcher gets a chance to swing the bat in a Major League Baseball game. Rookie right-hander Bobby Korecky did just that in a 12-inning affair with the Texas Rangers Monday night.

The Saline, Mich., native did not only get a chance to swing the bat, he became the first pitcher ever in Minnesota Twins history to get a base hit in an AL game. He's also the first Twins' pitcher since 1973 to record a base hit.

Korecky pitched part of the 11th inning, delivered a base hit in the bottom of the 11th and then made quick work of the Rangers in a 1-2-3 12th inning before teammate Howie Clark drove in the game-winning run in the home half of the 12th for a 7-6 decision.

"[Twins manager Ron Gardenhire] said to take the first pitch," Korecky said "And then he asked me, 'What do you think?' I said if I got a first-pitch fastball, that's a decent pitch to swing at. He said, 'Go ahead,' and that's what I got."

Not a bad night for the rookie. Korecky is doing good work with the Twins since his call-up from Triple-A Rochester in late April. He is 1-0 after appearing in six games, while posting a 2.57 earned run average. Korecky has struck out six batters and issued three free passes.

Joe Christensen from the Minneapolis (MN) Star-Tribune posted on his blog the other five Twins pitchers that have batted in an AL game before Korecky. This list is below.

1. Vic Albury on July 12, 1975 at New York (Pat Dobson struck him out).

2. Bill Campbell on July 12, 1975 at New York (Pat Dobson struck him out, too).

3. Ray Fontenot on Aug. 24, 1986 at Toronto (Tom Henke struck him out.)

4. Allan Anderson on June 13, 1989 vs. Seattle (Jerry Reed struck him out.)

5. Matt Garza on July 6, 2007 at Chicago (He struck out and grounded out against Gavin Floyd).

Photo: Minnesota Twins and Major League Baseball