Nelson Cruz becomes oldest player to register four extra base hits and four runs batted in during a single game

Nelson Cruz (Google Images)

It was a remarkable game on Sunday for Minnesota Twins designated hitter Nelson Cruz of Las Matas de Santa Cruz, Dominican Republic, and there is no sign of him slowing down. At the age of 40 years and 25 days, Cruz became the oldest player in Major League history to record four extra base hits and four runs batted in during a single game according to ESPN. 

Cruz had two doubles and two home runs in a 14-2 Twins clobbering over the Chicago White Sox. He actually had a total of seven runs batted in, becoming only the fourth player at the age of 40 or older to have seven runs batted in during a single game. The only other players on that list are Reggie Jackson, Stan Musial and Jason Giambi.

Cruz also became the second oldest player to have four extra base hits in an American League game. That record belongs to Rickey Henderson.

It was a marvelous weekend for Cruz. He batted .538 in three games for Minnesota. He had seven hits in 13 at bats, scored seven runs, two doubles, three home runs, 10 runs batted in, one walk, 18 total bases, a .571 on base percentage, and a 1.385 slugging percentage. Cruz leads the Major Leagues in runs scored, hits, home runs, runs batted in, and total bases. He also leads the American League in slugging percentage. Phil Gosselin of the Philadelphia Phillies had a slugging percentage of 1.667 in two games this past weekend against the Miami Marlins.

The Twins won two of the three games this past weekend against Chicago. They won 10-5 on Friday and then lost 10-3 on Saturday.