Twins outfielder Byron Buxton wasn’t having the best season, owning a .561 OPS after his game against the Rays on August 5. The Twins demoted him to Triple-A Rochester, then brought him back to the majors when rosters expanded in September.
The demotion might have been the cure for what ailed Buxton as he has had a torrid finish to the season. Entering the final game of the regular season on Sunday, he had a .278/.346/.619 triple-slash line with eight home runs and 20 RBI in 108 plate appearances since September 1.
Buxton kept it going on Sunday, the final day of the regular season. Facing White Sox ace Chris Sale to lead off the ballgame at U.S. Cellular Field (soon to be Guaranteed Rate Field), Buxton drilled a first-pitch fastball to center field. Avisail Garcia went back but got turned around and made an ill-fated leap to attempt to snag the ball. Garcia fell into the fence and the ball caromed back towards the field. Garcia eventually got to the ball and returned it to the infield, but Buxton was far too fast for it to have been a close play.
According to Statcast, Buxton made his way around the bases in 14 seconds, setting a Statcast-era record.