OT: Thome hits 600th home run
Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 3:01 am
Jim Thome hit his 600th home run an inning after he hit No. 599 to help the Minnesota Twins outslug the Detroit Tigers 9-6 on Monday night.
Thome became the eighth major league player to reach 600, hitting a three-run shot off Daniel Schlereth in the seventh inning to give Minnesota a 9-5 lead.
An inning earlier, Thome reached 599 with a two-run homer off Rick Porcello (11-8) that broke a three-all tie.
Thome received a standing ovation from the Detroit crowd as he rounded the bases after his milestone homer. His achievement overshadowed a solo shot in the first inning by Detroit's Delmon Young, who had been traded from the Twins to the Tigers earlier Monday.
Francisco Liriano (8-9) allowed five runs in six innings. Joe Nathan earned his 10th save.
Both of Thome's homers were hit to the opposite field. When No. 600 cleared the fence in left, Thome raised his right fist as he went around first base, and the crowd in Detroit came to its feet to applaud him.
The Tigers posted a congratulatory message on the scoreboard, and the Twins came out of the dugout to greet him at home plate.
Before Monday's game, Thome hadn't homered since Aug. 4.
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/story ... me600.html