With Miguel Sano's home run against the White Sox on Friday, the Minnesota Twins have joined the 1999 Seattle Mariners as the only two teams in MLB history with 100 home runs in their first 50 games of the season. It was Sano's fifth home run in just seven games after an extended recovery from March surgery on his right heel.
💯!
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) May 25, 2019
We're the second team in MLB history to hit 100-or-more home runs in our first 50 games! #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/q3a2c8TBNg
The '99 Mariners lineup included Hall of Famers Ken Griffey Jr. and Edgar Martinez, along with Alex Rodriguez. Griffey finished the season with 48 homers, Rodriguez notched 42 and Martinez had 24. The team finished the season 79-83, good for third in the AL West but they led the Majors with 244 home runs.
Eddie Rosario and Max Kepler also hit homers in Friday's game, and the team's total is 101 on the season through 50 games.
Twins' 101st HR of season, last 2 years:
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) May 25, 2019
2019: May 24, Game #50, hit by Max Kepler
2018: July 23, Game #98, hit by Max Kepler
Last season, the New York Yankees set the single-season MLB home run record with 267. The Twins are currently on pace for 327 home runs.
With Friday's win (MIN 11, CHW 4), the Twins improve to 34-16 through 50 games, tying the franchise record for most wins through 50 games, (1970 and 2001). Minnesota has now won nine of their last 10 games.
The Twins' power surge is helping them continue to pull away from the rest of the AL Central. Minnesota currently holds an eight game lead over the reigning division champion Cleveland Indians.
