Former Auburn infielder Edouard Julien got his first Major League hit leading off the Minnesota Twins’ game against the New York Yankees on Thursday, and before the first frame had ended, he had his first home run, too.

Julien’s milestones came as the Twins scored nine runs in the top of the first on their way to an 11-2 American League victory.

Julien became the fourth player in the Expansion Era (since 1961) to get his first two career hits, including a home run, in the same inning, according to ESPN Stats and Information, and he’s the only player since the start of baseball’s Modern Era in 1901 to do so in the first inning of a game.

“It’s incredible right now,” Julien said after the game. “I don’t know how to explain it. I don’t have any words for it. It’s a dream come true. I’ve been dreaming about this my whole life, and to do it in New York, close to home with all my family and friends in the stands, it’s a true dream come true.”

A native of Quebec, Julien made his MLB debut on Wednesday at second base for Minnesota and went 0-for-2 with a walk in a 3-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

On Thursday, Julien hit the fourth pitch of the game from New York starter Jhony Brito off the right-field fence at Yankee Stadium for a single.

An infield single, a walk and a sacrifice fly followed to bring Julien around for his first MLB run. Then came back-to-back doubles, a groundout, another double and a home run by center fielder Michael Taylor.

That brought Julien back to the plate, and, on a 1-1 count, he hit a 92-mph cutter from reliever Colten Brewer 351 feet into the left-field bleachers. Julien’s first MLB home run produced his first MLB RBI.

Shortstop Carlos Correa followed with another home run as the Twins capped their nine-run outburst with three consecutive four-baggers.

Julien played at Auburn in 2018 and 2019. The Twins selected him in the 18th round of the 2018 draft after he hit 27 home runs and knocked in 126 runs in 127 games for the Tigers.

Julien hit .300 with 17 home runs and 19 stolen bases for the Wichita Wind Surge of the Double-A Texas League in 2022, then batted .400 in 21 games in the Arizona Fall League.

Julien started the 2023 season with the St. Paul Saints of the Triple-A International League and was called up after hitting .290 with two doubles and two homers in nine games.

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.