You can forget about Miguel Sano boarding a plane with a one-way ticket to Triple-A Rochester because he won’t be going anywhere after his two home run performance at Tampa on Sunday. Sano’s two bombs, including a three-run homer, helped the Twins beat the Rays, 6-3, to claim another series win.
Sorry, @RocRedWings fans, you probably aren't getting another look at Miguel Sano anytime soon. #MessageReceived
— Mike Berardino (@MikeBerardino) August 7, 2016
It’s a good thing that Sano stepped up, not only to prevent another trip to Rochester, but to also help starter Kyle Gibson who didn’t have his best stuff on Sunday. Gibson threw more than 100 pitches in five innings, including four walks, then stepped aside to let four relievers limit the Rays to one run over the final four innings of the game.
Max Kepler, Eddie Rosario and Juan Centeno also had two hits apiece to power the Twins. Brandon Kintzler picked up his ninth save.
Extra innings…
-After Sano’s Sunday performance, which included an error-free appearance at third base, he now has 18 home runs on the season.
-There was speculation that Sano would get sent down to make way for the return of Trevor Plouffe; instead, outfielder Byron Buxton, who continues to struggle at the plate, will make that trip. It’s too bad, too, because Buxton has all the talent in the world to play at the major league level. We’re all pulling for you, Byron.
-The Miami Marlins’ Ichiro Suzuki and Twins manager Paul Molitor have something in common: Both tripled to achieve 3,000 hits in their respective major league careers. Suzuki’s 3,000th hit came on Sunday. Molitor finished his career with 3,319.
-After the games at Tampa, the Twins now come home for a seven-game home stand.
Tyler Duffey gets the ball on Monday.