Clemens' HR mark eclipsed by Twins' missed opportunities

MINNEAPOLIS – Kody Clemens set a new career high with his sixth home run on Saturday afternoon at Target Field, but instead of celebrating, he was left to lament what might have been after the Twins lost to the Blue Jays, 5-4.

The infielder/outfielder, who has been an immensely valuable acquisition since the Twins traded for him in late April, grounded into an unusual 5-2-3 double play with the bases loaded in the fourth inning. And it was missed opportunities like that, rather than individual highlights like his ninth-inning homer, that were on Clemens' mind following the game.

“Just a little frustrated with myself with the bases-loaded double play there,” he said. “Wish I could come up for my team in that moment.”

It was one of many turning points in a game the Twins felt they should have won. A crushed line drive right at shortstop in the first inning and another bases-loaded miss in the seventh left them thinking there were more runs to be had. And uncharacteristic struggles from ace relievers Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran meant they couldn’t hold a late lead, and that Clemens’ home run was not enough to tie the game.

“10 out of 10 games, I want those guys,” said starter Chris Paddack, who recovered from a shaky beginning to last six solid innings.

“We’re going to send those guys out there every time.”

For Jax in particular, it was an unusual game. The right-hander has been absolutely overwhelming recently, and for the most part, he’s rarely given up runs without a component of bad luck this year. But he just missed his spot to George Springer in the eighth, and the veteran slugger made him pay.

And as a result of the late runs, Clemens’ milestone was for naught. Still, it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate what Clemens has done since coming over from Philadelphia. He was an emergency acquisition after Luke Keaschall suffered an injury, available after the Phillies designated him for an assignment.

And in 83 at-bats, Clemens has ripped six homers among 12 extra-base hits. It’s the longest run of consistent playing time he’s ever received, and he’s making it count. But he’s still not thinking about that career high.

“I don’t really look at it that way,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve had enough at-bats in the big leagues to look at it like that. But yeah, that was a good swing. Finally got on top of a heater.”