Max Kepler got things started with his 12th home run of the season, and the Twins tacked on six more runs from there to beat the Chicago White Sox 7-2 and split the four-game series on Wednesday.
Although Kepler homered and singled and scored two runs, the night belonged to Jorge Polanco, who singled, doubled and homered, drove in three runs, scored three more, stole a base and had a hand in turning four double plays at second base. That is a very full evening. Well done, Jorge.
Michael Pineda picked up the win to improve to 4-5 with a 3.93 ERA after he allowed only one run over five innings.
The Twins now head home for seven games against the Los Angeles Angels and Detroit Tigers. Kenta Maeda gets the ball Thursday.
Extra innings…
-Rookie outfielder/first baseman Alex Kirilloff will have surgery on his right wrist and be replaced on the roster by Willians Astudillo, the team announced. Although La Tortuga is likely thrilled to back with the team, it’s also likely the end of the season for Kirilloff.
-Something I forgot to mention from Monday night: Catcher Mitch Garver, who was sidelined for weeks after he took a foul tip directly off the man area, was in the lineup and returned in style, hitting two home runs.
-Infielder Luis Arraez is day to day with a right knee sprain after he tweaked it playing left field in Tuesday’s loss to the White Sox.
-It’s good to beat the South Siders, but on the season the Twins are still only 4-12 against the club. No one is playing real well in the AL Central. Even the second-place Cleveland Indians are 8.5 games back of the Sox.