MINNEAPOLIS — Jose Miranda’s streak of consecutive at-bats with a hit was briefly paused at 10 when Houston Astros starter Hunter Brown plunked the Minnesota Twins third baseman on the left hand with a 96 mph pitch in the first inning of Saturday’s 9-3 win.
Miranda stayed in the game following a long visit from Twins head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta, repeatedly flexing and shaking his hand in obvious discomfort.
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And then in the second inning, Miranda delivered an RBI single to make it 11 straight at-bats with a hit, tying Bernie Williams (2002) and Dustin Pedroia (2016) for the modern MLB record. But he wasn’t done yet.
Miranda singled again in the fourth inning to tie Johnny Kling (1902), Pinky Higgins (1938) and Walt Dropo (1952) for the all-time MLB record with hits in 12 straight at-bats. During the 12-for-12 streak, Miranda raised his batting average from .294 to .329.
“That was a long time ago,” Miranda said of doing something last done by Dropo in 1952. “It’s something really special for the game and myself, too. It’s great. It’s great to be a part of history.”
MAKE IT 12!
Jose Miranda has hits in 12 straight at-bats, the longest streak in the Expansion Era (since 1961). pic.twitter.com/awzt9tRCe1
— MLB (@MLB) July 6, 2024
Miranda’s historic streak came to an end in the sixth inning, when he flied out to left field after a would-be 13th straight hit landed just foul down the first-base line.
Including the hit-by-pitch, Miranda also set a new Twins record by reaching base safely in 13 consecutive plate appearances.
“There are no real words, you’ve just got to kind of stop talking and enjoy it,” manager Rocco Baldelli said of watching Miranda’s streak. “I’ve never seen something like that go on, on a field, over the course of a few days, ever, anywhere. It’s very special.”
Miranda, who missed much of last season with a shoulder injury that eventually required surgery, has been one of the biggest driving forces behind a resurgent Twins lineup that leads the American League in runs scored and OPS since mid-April.
Called up from the minors on April 8, he’s hit .328/.370/.531 with nine homers, 20 doubles and 41 RBIs in 72 games while playing third base, first base and designated hitter.
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(Photo: David Berding / Getty Images)
