Target Field, Minneapolis, MN – The Minnesota Twins continued their impressive offensive display on Wednesday night, crushing the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-3 at Target Field. The victory marked the Twins’ fifth straight triumph, extending their winning streak to a season-high seven games.
Twins Unleash Offensive Firepower
The Twins’ offense erupted early and often, scoring five runs in the first three innings. Luis Arraez led the charge with a two-run single in the first inning, followed by a solo home run by Byron Buxton in the second inning. Alex Kirilloff added a two-run double in the third inning to give the Twins a comfortable 5-0 lead.
The Diamondbacks briefly threatened in the fourth inning, scoring three runs off Twins starter Joe Ryan. However, the Twins’ bats remained hot in the bottom half of the inning, as Max Kepler drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and Gio Urshela added an RBI single.
Ryan Settles in After Shaky Start
Joe Ryan, who entered the game with a 0-3 record, struggled early on but eventually settled in. He allowed three runs on six hits over five innings, striking out four batters. The young right-hander credited his bullpen for keeping the Diamondbacks in check.
“I didn’t have my best stuff today, but I was able to grind through it,” Ryan said. “The bullpen came in and did a great job of shutting them down.”
Bullpen Dominance
The Twins’ bullpen was outstanding, allowing only one hit over the final four innings. Jhoan Duran, Caleb Thielbar, and Jorge Alcala combined to strike out eight batters and hold the Diamondbacks scoreless.
Kepler on a Tear
Max Kepler continued his recent hot streak at the plate, going 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Kepler is now batting .400 (12-for-30) with three home runs and nine RBIs in his last seven games.
“I’m just trying to stay relaxed and see the ball well,” Kepler said. “My swing feels good right now, and I’m just trying to put the barrel on the ball.”
Twins Continue to Surge
The Twins have now won 15 of their last 18 games, moving to a season-best five games over .500 (39-34). They currently sit in second place in the AL Central, just one game behind the Chicago White Sox.
“We’re playing with a lot of confidence right now,” said manager Rocco Baldelli. “Our offense is clicking on all cylinders, and our pitching staff has been solid. It’s a great time to be a Twins fan.”
Diamondbacks Fall Short
The Diamondbacks fall to 33-42 with the loss, dropping their third straight game. Zac Gallen, who entered the game with a 4-0 record, was roughed up by the Twins, allowing five runs on eight hits over three innings.
“I didn’t have my best stuff today,” Gallen said. “I left too many pitches over the plate, and they made me pay.”
Looking Ahead
The Twins will continue their homestand on Thursday afternoon with a doubleheader against the lowly Detroit Tigers. Sonny Gray (7-3, 3.68 ERA) will start the first game for the Twins, while Chris Archer (2-4, 3.50 ERA) will take the mound for the Tigers. The second game of the doubleheader will feature Griffin Jax (4-3, 3.84 ERA) for the Twins and Matt Manning (2-6, 6.05 ERA) for the Tigers.
The Diamondbacks will head to Colorado to face the Rockies in a four-game series beginning on Thursday night. Merrill Kelly (7-5, 4.56 ERA) will start the series opener for the Diamondbacks, while Ryan Feltner (2-4, 5.74 ERA) will take the mound for the Rockies.
