After nearly 10 years and 1070 minor-league games, Minnesota Twins manager Paul Molitor figured the least he could do for Australian rookie James Beresford was give him a game ball on Saturday night.
Not that receiving a standing ovation during his first at-bat, getting his first Major League Baseball hit and watching teammate Joe Mauer get the game-winning single in the 12th-inning weren't enough already.
It was Mauer who was mobbed at first base after his game-winning single scored Brian Dozier to give the Twins a 2-1 win over the Indians.
But it was Beresford who manager Molitor presented with a game ball afterwards.
"Tonight makes the last 10 years all worth it," the Melbourne native who signed with Minnesota as an undrafted free agent in 2005 told reporters in the clubhouse.
Dozier hit a two-out single and advanced to second when Joe Colon (1-2) was called for a baulk by homeplate umpire Vic Carapazza. That set up Mauer for his first hit of the long night, a sharp liner into right-centre that allowed Dozier to score easily.
JT Chargois (1-1) pitched a perfect 12th for his first major-league victory.
Beresford - who received his long-awaited call-up on September 6 - went 1-for-4, reached on a fielder's choice and also laid down a nice bunt to advance Logan Schafer to second in the ninth.
The game didn't seem to want to end, but it went fast for Beresford.
"I don't really remember other than after I hit the ball," he said about his seventh-inning single. "It's all a bit of a blur."
A year after contending for a wildcard berth, the Twins have sunk to baseball's worst record, failing to meet many expectations. So being able to celebrate Beresford - and a win to boot - made the night worth savouring all around.
"It got me going a little bit," Molitor said.
Even the Indians seemed to appreciate the moment. After his seventh-inning single, Beresford advanced to second on a sac-bunt by Byron Buxton. Then, Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor stopped by.
"Lindor kind of gave me a tap and just said, 'Enjoy it, you deserve it and congrats,"' Beresford said. "A guy of his calibre to say that, it kind of sinks in."
