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[CHEERING] JIM BICKAL: The largest regular season crowd in the history of the Metrodome gave the team one of many standing ovations as Bert Blyleven struck out Frank White to end the game. Twins fans have been criticized a lot lately for being unenthusiastic about this baseball team. But yesterday, the fans gave their best performance of the year.

The Twins got a standing ovation before they even took the field. The biggest play of the game came in the top of the first inning. Kansas City had runners at first and third with nobody out.

George Brett, one of the great hitters of the game, was batting. He hit a ground ball to Gary Gaetti, who threw to Al Newman at second for one out. But instead of throwing to first, Newman threw to the plate and nailed the speedy Willie Wilson. Newman says it's the biggest thrill of his career since his first at bat.

AL NEWMAN: Yeah, I tell you, it [? was-- ?] I think the whole [? thing-- ?] I say when you stop a team at that time, it was first and third, nobody out with George Brett up. You figure they're going to score at least one run. I was just-- it brought almost tears in my eyes for the way the fans reacted.

[SIDE CONVERSATION]

I tell you, it really did pump, pump me up. And I'm sure it helped the team.

JIM BICKAL: The Royals didn't score that inning. And in the bottom of the first, the Twins came out with fire in their eyes. Royals starter Charlie Leibrandt threw only 19 pitches.

Three of them were hit for home runs by Kirby Puckett, Gary Gaetti, and Kent Hrbek. By the time Leibrandt was relieved, the Twins were ahead 5 to 0 and well on their way. Gaetti says the fans really helped the team get into the game.

GARY GAETTI: We came out hot today. It was a really-- it turned out to be a very special day. And it started out great. And I mean, they had some pretty neat signs up, one that said, forget the number. Use the magic or something like that.

And it was pretty magical in the first inning, and it carried over. And Bert Blyleven he was awesome. He was outstanding today.

JIM BICKAL: Bert Blyleven threw a complete game victory. He praises the fans also.

BERT BLYEVEN: I haven't heard it as loud. The last time I heard a crowd that loud is when I threw a pitch to Reggie Smith in Dodger Stadium with 50,000 people and it cost me the ballgame. And I had to walk off the mound. But this was a better crowd.

JIM BICKAL: The only run that Blyleven gave up was a home run to Danny Tartabull in the fourth inning. And for the first time all year, the fan who caught the ball threw it back on the field because it was hit by an opposing player. [INAUDIBLE] was the fan who caught the ball.

[CHEERING]

SPEAKER 1: Why'd you throw the ball back?

SPEAKER 2: A little bit of peer pressure and thought I'd better. [LAUGHS]

SPEAKER 1: Have you ever caught a ball before?

SPEAKER 2: No first one.

SPEAKER 1: You regret throwing it back?

SPEAKER 2: No. I got a lot at home. They just collect dust.

[INAUDIBLE]

JIM BICKAL: Now the Twins must leave the Metrodome where they play so well. The final six games are on the road. Tonight, Joe Niekro is scheduled to pitch for the Twins against Jose Guzman of the Texas Rangers. If they win that game, the Twins will clinch their division. I'm Jim Bickal reporting.