Kepler Becomes 1st Twins Rookie to Hit 3 Homers in a Game

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler turned in a historic performance during Monday's 12-5 win over the Cleveland Indians, becoming the first rookie in franchise history to hit three home runs in a single game, per Sportsnet Stats.

The 23-year-old slugger connected for a trio of two-run home runs, coming in the first, third and sixth innings, which gave him a shot at the first four-homer game in franchise history.

Alas, Kepler grounded out and singled in his final two at-bats, finishing the night with four hits, six RBI and three runs.

He's one of just five players to hit three home runs in a game since the franchise moved to Minnesota in 1961, joining Justin Morneau (2007), Tony Oliva (1973), Harmon Killebrew (1963) and Bob Allison (1963), per ESPN Stats & Info.

What's more, Monday's performance didn't just come out of nowhere, as Kepler now has an MLB-best 11 home runs since the beginning of July, per MLB Stat of the Day.

While any hope for 2016 was lost back in April, the Twins do have some promising middle-of-the-order hitters to help move the rebuilding process along, with Kepler joined by veteran second baseman Brian Dozier and 23-year-old outfielder Miguel Sano.