Blyleven Gives Up Five Homers for AL Record of 44 in Season

Minnesota right-hander Bert Blyleven allowed five home runs Saturday in a 14-1 loss to the Texas Rangers to set an American League record of 44 homers yielded in a season.

The old mark of 43 was set by Pedro Ramos of Washington in 1957. The major league record belongs to Robin Roberts of Philadelphia, who yielded 46 in 1956.

Steve Buechele hit Blyleven’s first pitch of the sixth inning 371 feet to left field, driving in Geno Petralli and Mike Stanley to put Texas ahead, 8-0, and break the record. Blyleven (15-12) was removed from the game later in the inning.

Minnesota pitchers Keith Atherton and Bill Latham each gave up one homer in relief. Darrell Porter and Ruben Sierra each hit two home runs, while Buechele, Pete O’Brien and Pete Incaviglia had one apiece.

“All those home runs go through your mind,” Blyleven said. “Sometimes you just have days like today. I felt good. My arm didn’t hurt--my neck hurt watching the home runs.”

The Rangers’ seven home runs also set a team record. The major league record for a single game is eight, shared by several teams, including the Twins.