Twins' Kody Clemens blasts walk-off grand slam vs. Royals

Kody Clemens secured a memorable victory for the Minnesota Twins on Thursday with a walk-off grand slam against the Kansas City Royals. The Twins overcame a no-hit bid that lasted until the seventh inning, trailing late before the dramatic conclusion in the ninth.

Down to his final strike with two outs, Clemens connected on an 0-2 slider from Kansas City reliever Matt Strahm, sending the ball into the flower box above right-center field. The win marked the sixth walk-off grand slam in franchise history and provided a major boost for a team currently in the middle of a tight American League postseason race.

Kansas City had been in a strong position to secure the game, as the Royals have struggled with blown saves throughout the 2026 season. This specific loss represents their 21st blown save, ranking them among the league leaders in that category. The victory brought the Twins to a 55-55 record, keeping them within striking distance of the American League Central lead and the final wild-card position.

This outcome changes the outlook for the organization as the trade deadline approaches on Monday. After a massive selloff last summer that saw 40% of the roster turned over, general manager Jeremy Zoll indicated that the current goal is to acquire key pieces for a playoff push rather than subtracting talent. Players like Royce Lewis expressed optimism about the team direction, noting the positive atmosphere in the clubhouse.

With a nine-game road trip beginning Friday in Seattle, the Twins now look to build on the momentum of this comeback. The team remains focused on shoring up the bullpen as they prepare for the final stretch of the season.