HOUSTON — A 12 months in the past Monday, Royce Lewis tore the ACL in his proper knee for a second time.
On the primary anniversary of the harm, the rookie returned to the sector in a season debut extra suited to a fairy story than a baseball diamond.
“A 12 months to the day,” he stated, beaming. “You simply cannot make these things up.”
Lewis homered with 4 RBIs and Ryan Jeffers hit a two-run shot within the tenth inning to offer the Minnesota Twins a 7-5 win over the Houston Astros.
Final Might 29, Lewis was injured when he crashed into an outfield wall whereas making a catch in his first huge league look in middle area. The primary total decide within the 2017 novice draft had reconstructive surgical procedure a couple of days later, ending his first main league season after simply 12 video games.
It was the second time in two years that he sustained the identical harm, having torn the ACL for the primary time in February 2021. Lewis was drafted as a shortstop however will play third base for now with fellow high decide Carlos Correa entrenched at shortstop.
Throughout months of grueling rehabilitation, there have been many low occasions when Lewis puzzled why these setbacks saved taking place.
“On a regular basis,” he stated. “I imply, you are human, proper?”
However on Monday all that ache appeared miles away when he returned to the lineup.
“I cherished it,” he stated. “I cherished each little bit of it.”
Max Kepler began the tenth as the automated runner on second base earlier than Jeffers drove the primary pitch from Bryan Abreu (2-1) into the seats in left area for his third hit and the 7-5 lead.
Lewis gave Minnesota an early lead with a three-run homer within the third. The Astros went forward 5-4 when Jose Altuve hit a grand slam within the seventh.
However Lewis got here by way of once more late, tying it with an RBI single off Ryan Pressly with two outs within the ninth, the nearer’s first blown save in 11 possibilities this 12 months.
Minnesota supervisor Rocco Baldelli raved in regards to the sport by Lewis and famous he additionally made some good defensive performs.
“What a day,” Baldelli stated. “What a day for him.”
Sonny Gray, who began the sport wherein Lewis was injured, additionally began Monday’s sport.
“I am getting chills as a result of [I was] again on the mound too when he got here again,” Grey stated as goosebumps lined his arms. “It was a welcome sight after we received on the airplane yesterday and he was there smiling, simply being Royce. After which for him to return out right now and do this — he is a particular child.”
Lewis could not cease smiling after the sport and remained in uniform with eye black nonetheless on his face lengthy after it had ended as he reveled in his triumphant comeback. However the 23-year-old’s grin appeared to get even larger when speaking in regards to the pleasure his teammates had in witnessing his return.
“I really love these guys,” he stated. “It is like a second household. So it means the world to me that they settle for me and so they need me right here and we’ve enjoyable collectively.”