In 2019, the Twins earned the nickname “Bomba Squad” for the record-setting number of home runs they hit. The Bomba Squad is still intact this season, but hasn’t quite lit up the scoreboard like they did last season.
That all changed Saturday, however, after the Twins hit five home runs to blow open a close game for an 8-4 win. Leaving the ballpark were Marwin Gonzalez, Willians Astudillo, Byron Buxton, Eddie Rosario and finally Miguel Sano, who hit his 11th home run of the season.
Lefty Rich Hill did just enough to get the win, allowing two runs over five innings with two walks and seven strikeouts. He’s now 2-1 on the season with a 3.81 ERA. Four relievers followed Hill, allowing two more runs.
Michael Pineda gets the ball on Sunday.
Extra innings…
-Promising rookie talent Brent Rooker, who hit a double on Saturday, will miss the remainder of the season after he was hit by a pitch that broke his right forearm.
-The verdict is in: Twins reliever Sergio Romo has been suspended one game and both Cleveland’s Francisco Lindor and Romo have been fined after their tiff in the eighth inning of Friday’s game. Once again I’m in agreement with Cleveland interim manager, Sandy Alomar Jr., who expressed surprise that Romo was suspended. Based on what I saw, the two did little more than yell at each other.
-The Twins are now 29-18, but still remain one game behind the Chicago White Sox. They also are 20-5 at Target Field, the best home record in the majors.