Byron Buxton put on a show for the ages Saturday night, single-handedly carrying the Minnesota Twins to a 2-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians. It was the kind of performance that makes you check the box score twice.
Buxton went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run, and two RBIs. But here's where it gets wild: he accounted for every single one of his team's hits and runs. In the top of the 11th inning, he delivered an RBI double to score Matt Wallner, who started the extra frame as the bonus runner on second base.
According to OptaStats, Buxton is the first player in MLB history to hit a leadoff home run, collect all of his team's hits, drive in all of his team's runs, and win the game in the process. That's a feat that had never been accomplished since RBIs became an official stat in 1920.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Twins' lineup went a combined 0-for-30. They did manage three walks, but that was the extent of their offensive contribution. Cleveland's pitchers struck out Minnesota 17 times, including Buxton twice, but the Guardians' offense could only muster one run on two hits against a strong Twins pitching staff.
Buxton has long been regarded as one of the most electrifying talents in baseball, but injuries have often kept him from reaching his full potential. On this night, however, he was the entire show—a one-man wrecking crew that reminded everyone why he's so special.
