It’s the best kind of Independence Day celebration for this fan because the Twins, a team that usually wilts when facing the New York Yankees, found its footing again on Saturday and showed off the American League’s best run-scoring offense by clobbering six home runs in an 11-4 rout of the Bronx Bombers at the Stadium.
They took to the launching pad straight away, too, by scoring three runs in the first inning, two in the second, a run in the fourth, a run in the seventh and then poured it on with four runs in the eighth inning to seal the victory.
Hitting home runs were Kody Clemens, Luke Keaschall, Alex Jackson, Trevor Larnach and Josh Bell, Mr. 3-iron, who connected twice to give him 13 dingers on the season.
The team leader in home runs is Byron Buxton with 25, but Clemens, who is putting together a nice offensive season, is climbing up that ladder with 16 moon shots of his own. He had 19 dingers last season and appears to be well on his way to shattering that mark. It’s great to see. The Twins gave him a chance and he has delivered.
Starting pitcher Zebby Matthews pitched well early in the game, then got into trouble after a freak injury in which he lacerated his right foot on the hard crust of the mound, MLB.com reports. He ultimately allowed four runs, but four relievers followed him and served up just four hits the rest of the way. The win went to lefty reliever Taylor Rogers.
The Twins go for the series win on Sunday. Joe Ryan gets the ball.
Extra innings…
–The Twins are 43-47. They remain four games back from the top of the table in the AL Central, but are only 2.5 games out of the Wild Card hunt. This season is far from over.
–Buxton and Ryan are headed back to their second straight All-Star game later this month, while ex-Twins Louis Varland, Jhoan Duran and Luis Arraez also will be there. Where would the Twins be with last year’s relievers and this year’s offense? First place, and it wouldn’t be close.
–Zebby’s line: Four runs allowed on three hits with four walks and five strikeouts across four-plus innings. Not his best effort, but the injury also doesn’t sound serious.
–The Twins lost Game 1 to the Yanks 5-2. They had their opportunities, but went 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position and stranded six runners.
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