Two of three wins over the Cleveland Indians, two wins at Kansas City and now two wins against the Detroit Tigers has contributed to a Twins record of 8-4, including 6-1 so far versus their divisional foes.
The Twins scored six runs on 14 hits in their win over the Tigers on Sunday, but it would’ve been a blowout victory had they not been 4-for-14 with runners in scoring position. Still, the Twins hit five doubles and two home runs.
After a cold start to the season, Eddie Rosario appears to be back in mid-season form. He went 3-for-4 at the plate with a double and home run. Jorge Polanco, Nelson Cruz, Mitch Garver and Byron Buxton each had two hits.
Starter Jose Berrios improved to 2-1. He allowed two earned runs over six-plus innings with seven strikeouts, then stepped aside for the bullpen, which got in a jam late in the game.
Reliever Blake Parker loaded the bases, then Trevor Hildenberger struck out two batters with the bases loaded to preserve the 6-4 win.
Martin Perez, who the Twins used in long relief to get him prepared for starting pitching duties, gets the ball Monday.
Extra innings…
-The AL Central leaves and now the Twins will get their first taste of the AL East when the Toronto Blue Jays come to town Monday for a four-game set. The Blue Jays, never to be underestimated, find themselves dead last at 5-11 in the east. The division is off to a topsy-turvy start. Those sneaky and pitching-rich Tampa Bay Rays lead the division at 12-4, while the Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles and Jays all have losing records. Go figure.
-I stand corrected: the weather on opening day was 49 degrees, but it hasn’t been that warm since. Sunday’s game was 40 degrees.
-Buxton made another incredible catch on Sunday.
-After the Blue Jays leave town, the Twins hit the road to play the Orioles and Astros, then come home to play the same teams to end the month.