Jim Thome hit 584th homer, going deep twice to pass Mark McGwire for 9th place on career list

Thome hits homers 583, 584 to pass McGwire for 9th

MINNEAPOLIS — Jim Thome has passed Mark McGwire for ninth place on baseball’s all-time home run list, hitting a pair of homers for Minnesota to reach 584 for his career.

Thome sent a pitch from Texas starter Colby Lewis soaring into the second deck above right field leading off the third inning of Saturday’s game. The team estimated the distance at 449 feet.

Then in the fourth, with two on and two out, Thome hit a drive to left-center that landed in the bullpen and made it 9-0, finishing Lewis.

This was Thome’s 46th career multihomer game. He has 20 homers in just 237 at-bats this season, reaching that milestone for the 16th time in his career.

Next up on the homer list is Frank Robinson with 586.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jim Thome has tied Mark McGwire for ninth place on baseball’s all-time home run list with his 583rd career shot.

Thome connected Saturday for the Minnesota Twins. It was his 19th of the season.

Thome homered off Texas starter Colby Lewis, sending a drive soaring into the second deck above right field in the third inning and giving the Twins a 6-0 lead. The team estimated the distance at 449 feet.

One place ahead of McGwire and Thome is Frank Robinson, with 586 home runs.