History had Miranda in its sights during record-equaling streak | National Sports

MINNEAPOLIS — Jose Miranda didn’t score a run in the Twins’ 9-3 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday, and he drove in just one run.

He was still the center of attention.

Miranda tied an MLB record, becoming the first player in 72 years to hit in 12 consecutive at-bats.

When Miranda ended his streak with a flyout to left field in the sixth inning, he received two standing ovations from the Target Field crowd of 31,431. He waved in appreciation, then Carlos Correa gave him a sideways hug as they walked to their defensive positions.

The only other three players to equal Miranda’s feat were Walt “Moose” Dropo (1952), Pinky Higgins (1938) and Johnny “Noisy” Kling (1902). Miranda reached base in a team-record 13 consecutive plate appearances, the longest streak in the majors since Kevin Youkilis in 2009.

“It’s kind of mind-boggling,” Twins Manager Rocco Baldelli said Friday. “It’s hard to do in Little League or playing video games, and now he’s doing it on a big league field.”

Miranda was hit by a fastball to his left hand in the first inning and stayed in the game after a long visit with coach Nick Paparesta. He hit an RBI single to center in the second and singled again in the fourth. The Target Field crowd groaned when Miranda fouled out a few feet down the first base line in the sixth inning. Two pitches later, the streak was over.

“To see him blossom and become the man and the guy that he’s become in the lineup, it’s unreal,” Correa said. “I’m very proud of all the work that he’s done, all the rehab that he had to go through last year when people didn’t believe in his potential and I still believed.”

Miranda raised his batting average from .294 to .329 in four games. Fittingly, Miranda’s historic run coincided with an incredible run for the Twins offense. They scored 33 runs in their last three games.

There may not have been a more untouchable pitcher than Hunter Brown over the past month. He has allowed one run in his last five starts (31 innings). He has allowed just four hits in his last 12 innings. The Twins have allowed 10 hits and seven runs against him in their first three innings.

The Twins took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, hitting three straight singles. In the second, Willi Castro hit an RBI double to right field before Miranda and Carlos Santana hit back-to-back RBI singles.

Brooks Lee hit his first career home run in the third inning, a two-run blast over the wall in right-center field. Lee, whose helmet fell off as the ball cleared the fence, has seven hits and six RBI in his first four games.

Byron Buxton hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning and pumped his fist in the air as his line drive landed in the left-field benches.

Joe Ryan struck out eight batters in 5-2/3 innings, allowing five hits and three runs. The Astros loaded the bases with two outs in the sixth inning to bring in the tying run, but Twins reliever Jorge Alcala escaped with a flyout.

The Twins have won nine of their last 13 games.