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Jason Kipnis 'couldn't draw it up better' than walk-off slam for 1,000th hit with Cleveland Indians

Jason Kipnis "couldn't draw it up better" than blasting a walk-off grand slam for the 1,000th hit of his career with the Cleveland Indians.
Credit: David Richard
Cleveland Indians center fielder Jason Kipnis (22) celebrates his game-winning grand slam with designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion (10) and shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) in the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field.

CLEVELAND -- Nothing like a little flair for the dramatic for an historic moment.

Cleveland Indians center fielder Jason Kipnis needed just one hit to reach 1,000 for his career heading into Wednesday night’s game against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field, and he got it in a most dramatic way, belting a walk-off grand slam in a 4-1 victory over their American League Central Division foes.

“Couldn’t draw it up much better than that one,” Kipnis said. “It felt good.”

Prior to Kipnis’ home run, the Indians loaded the bases with hustle and a little bit of hurt, too.

Third baseman Josh Donaldson, who’s acquisition in August forced Kipnis from his spot at second base into the outfield, reached on an infield single, and then, pinch hitter Yandy Diaz smacked a single into left field, which moved pinch runner Rajai Davis over to second base.

After outfielder Melky Cabrera popped out to pitcher Caleb Frare on an errant bunt attempt, catcher Yan Gomes got hit by a pitch.

And that’s when the fireworks started, as Kipnis fought his way out of a 1-2 count, forced it full and sat on a belt-high changeup from reliever Ian Hamilton before dropping the barrel of the bat on the ball and sent a 399-foot blast into the seats in right field.

“We’ve just got to keep at it and look for any opening that we can find,” Kipnis said. “In the ninth, give credit to Donaldson, who beat that ball out, Yandy for putting that one in play, finding the hole. Just things started to turn. You never know when that chance is going to happen, so you’ve just got to stay with it.”

Credit: David Richard
Chicago White Sox catcher Kevan Smith (36) reacts as Cleveland Indians center fielder Jason Kipnis (22) watches his game-winning grand slam home run sail over the wall at Progressive Field in Cleveland.

In addition to being the 1,000th hit of his career, Kipnis’ grand slam was his fifth walk-off winner and second round-tripper in a game-winning situation.

Ironically enough, Kipnis’ first career hit was a walk-off RBI single against the Los Angeles Angels on July 25, 2011, and much like that moment, his 100th home run was a unique one, as he hit an inside-the-parker last month at Kansas City’s Kauffman Stadium.

According to STATS, LLC., Kipnis is just the second player in MLB history to collect his 1,000th hit on a walk-off grand slam. Also, he is the 37th player in franchise history to reach 1,000 career hits, but stands alone as the only one with 1,000 hits, 100 home runs and 100 stolen bases.

According to baseball writer Ryan Spaeder (Ace of MLB Stats), Kipnis is the first player to hit a walk-off grand slam with his team trailing 1-0 since National Baseball Hall of Famer Ron Santo did so for the Chicago Cubs against the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 25, 1968.

“On the 100th home run, it helped me a little bit where it was an inside-the-parker where I was like, ‘Okay, there’s just something going on with these round numbers,’ and so, going into the ninth inning, I thought, ‘Wouldn’t this be a way to get the 1,000th?’” Kipnis said.

“As it would turn out, I got closer and closer to the on-deck circle, and then, to home plate, the thought would just keep creeping into my head, and actually, gave me a little bit more confidence. I was like, ‘It’s meant to be.’ It’s weird what belief can do in these situations where I was like, ‘It’s going to happen. I know it’s going to happen.’ Then, it played out that way.”

Credit: David Richard
Cleveland Indians center fielder Jason Kipnis (22) celebrates his game-winning grand slam in the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio.

Following the blast, Kipnis excitedly sprinted around the bases and was greeted by teammates at home plate.

“There is no avoiding it,” Kipnis said of getting drenched with water in the celebration. “There’s just a big smile on my face. I know that I get to touch third and come home to my teammates, and that’s a fun feeling.”

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