When the Boston Red Sox played the Minnesota Twins in a three-game series at Fenway Park in May, it was a homecoming of sorts for Twins infielder Kody Clemens. As the son of legendary Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens, the 29-year-old has had to carve out his own identity as a Major League ball player with his father’s impressive legacy casting a wide shadow over his playing career.
With his father in attendance on May 3, Clemens created a lasting memory for his family when he blasted a two-run home run off Red Sox starter Hunter Dobbins in the very same ballpark where his father began his legendary playing career in 1984.
Fast forward to the ninth inning on Wednesday. With the Red Sox leading 11-1, Clemens was summoned by Twins manager Rocco Baldelli from his spot in the infield to take the mound to try to get three outs in relief of the usually reliable Griffin Jax.
With a count of 1-0, Clemens tossed a 52.6 mph Eephus pitch that Romy González crushed 410 feet to left field for a three-run shot. On the second pitch of the next at-bat, Masataka Yoshida connected on another low-velocity Clemens offering for a solo home run and a 13-1 Red Sox lead.
Wednesday wasn’t the first time that Clemens had taken the mound in a blowout loss. Including previous stints with the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies, he’s made 13 appearances and has produced a 5.40 ERA with two strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings.
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