The six-game losing streak is over after the Twins ran away from the Reds 12-5 on Thursday. They avoided the sweep, they evened their record at 37-37 and now they head home.
Thursday’s win started just like Wednesday’s loss. Byron Buxton homered in the first inning and the Reds countered with two runs in the bottom of the first inning to make it 2-1, Cincy.
But this time the Twins kept their foot on the gas pedal and scored three runs in the second inning, three in the third, two in the fourth and three more in the eighth and ninth innings to give them 12 total runs on 17 hits.
Of those 17 hits, 10 of them went for extra-bases including four dingers, two of them hit by Buxton who now has 15 on the season.
“He’s been in that really good, relaxed place,” said manager Rocco Baldelli about Buck to MLB.com. “You might call it ‘the zone.’ He’s playing great. Seeing the ball good. Had another good day at the plate, swinging at good pitches. Really attacking and barreling them up. Another incredible effort.”
Buck and Carlos Correa had six of the Twins’ 17 hits.
Joe Ryan, looking for win No. 8, gets the ball Friday at home against the Brewers.
Extra innings…
–I’m not the biggest fan of Kody Clemens, but the guy continues to produce. He had two hits, including his seventh dinger, scored a run and drove in two more.
–The hitting streak is still alive for Brooks Lee, who connected for No. 18, a double, in the win.
–Starter Chris Paddack picked up the win. He fell just short of a quality start, allowing four runs across five innings with no walks and three strikeouts.
–The bullpen took it from there and allowed just a run over the final four innings of the game. Rocco called on five relievers to get the job done, including the artist formerly known as Louie Varland. The no-nonsense Varland pitched a scoreless sixth inning on 13 pitches, nine of them landing for strikes. The dude is all business.
–Every Twins player in the lineup on Thursday had at least one hit.