MINNEAPOLIS -– Rookie right fielder Michael Cuddyer, known in the clubhouse for performing magic tricks for his Twins teammates, was asked during a post-game radio interview after Minnesota's 6-0 victory Thursday if had any new tricks up his sleeve. With Twins pitcher Eric Milton throwing a three-hit shutout, Cuddyer (pronounced Cudd-EYE-er) provided the offensive key to the game by crushing a third-inning grand slam off White Sox pitcher Dan Wright.

It was Cuddyer's second homer of his brief career, but his first grand slam in the Major Leagues. And it didn't take a slight of hand or any abracadabra to get it. He knew exactly what to look for.

Already trailing 1-0, Wright walked Doug Mientkiewicz to load the bases and then threw two pitches that were low, running the count to 2-0 on Cuddyer.

"Fortunately, I got into a hitter's count," Cuddyer said. "I was looking dead red and got one I could handle and I was able to put some good wood on it."

Wright dealt a low fastball and the crowd of 26,270 at the Metrodome seemed to immediately know that the ball was going out as it left the bat. With an almost deafening roar in the background, Cuddyer trotted down the first-base line and watched the ball clear the left-field wall for a 377 foot homer.

"I knew he was going to come back (low) again," the 23-year-old Cuddyer said. "It was just a little bit higher up. I was looking down there this time and I was able to get it on there."

"I wish I could have made a better pitch before the home run," Wright said. "At 2-0 he's pretty much sitting fastball and I had to throw one with the bases loaded."

The belt gave the Twins a comfortable 5-0 lead and they never had to look back. A warm reception from teammates awaited Cuddyer at home plate and in the home dugout.

"That was a big moment for him and our ball club," manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Cuddyer is now batting .250 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 12 games this season since getting called up from Triple-A Edmonton July 12. His other big game, a 3-for-5, four RBI day that included a three-run homer on July 20, came on the road at Detroit. He was glad to be able to make something happen inside the Dome.

"It's always nice, especially to do it in front of your home crowd," Cuddyer said. "It was my first big game at home. It was 1-0 and Wright was throwing well. To be able to do that was something pretty special."

A Twins fan at Comerica Park caught Cuddyer's first home run ball and returned it. Somehow, his grand slam ball was retrieved from the left-field seats and placed inside a plastic bag on top of his locker shelf.

Now, in what could be his smoothest trick yet, he has just figured out how to divide the spoils of success to his family.

"The plans were to give the (first) ball to my Dad and the bat to my Mom," Cuddyer said. "Now that I've got this grand slam as well, I'll probably just disperse one of them to each."

Most important on his mind though, was that he was able to contribute something meaningful in the game. Standing before his locker with reporters, his grin was as big as the home run he hit.

"That was a lot of fun," Cuddyer said. "That was something I'll always remember. Fortunately, it got us a victory."