Kepler sets single-season HR record for European-born players

Max Kepler stands alone.

The Minnesota Twins outfielder hit his 33rd home run of the season Friday, smashing a fourth-inning blast off Texas Rangers left-hander Mike Minor to set the single-season record for the most home runs by a European-born MLB player.

Kepler, who was born in Germany, broke the previous record of 32 set in 1951 by Scotland native Bobby Thomson.

Thomson, then a member of the New York Giants, famously hit the "Shot Heard 'Round the World" against the Brooklyn Dodgers to clinch the 1951 National League pennant.

Kepler's 33rd dinger marks a career-high and moved the 26-year-old into third among the American League's home run leaders.