After the Twins scored a grand total of seven runs across their previous three games, the Twins got back on track Friday with an eight-run outburst, courtesy of 13 hits, to edge the Milwaukee Brewers, the National League’s best team — by win-loss record, anyway — 8-6.
The Twins fell behind early, but then reeled off eight straight runs from the third inning though the sixth.
The game also marked the major league debut of top shortstop prospect Kaelen Culpepper, the Twins’ first-round pick of the 2024 amateur draft. He got the call to join the team on Friday after he tore up Triple-A pitching with a slash line of .271/.367/.478, including 14 home runs and 46 RBI across 74 games.
Not only was it his debut, but his first hit was a home run, one of two on the night for the Twins.
“I mean, it definitely felt great,” Culpepper told MLB.com. “Fell behind in the count, but that didn’t change anything. I feel like I thrive with two strikes. So I stuck to my approach, got my hands back, saw something I could drive, took a really good swing on it.”
The other dinger was delivered by Josh Bell, Mr. 3-iron, who hit his 15th of the season. It was a big night for Bell, who collected four hits in five trips to the plate with two runs scored and three RBI.
The Twins go for the series win Saturday. Taj Bradley gets the ball.
Extra innings…
–The Twins are 58-59, now tied for second place with the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central. Both teams are also a half-game back in the wild card race. Right now the Twins hold the tiebreaker over the Guards; however, they face each other three more times in September before the season ends.
–The win went to Zebby Matthews, who allowed six runs, but only three were earned because of an error behind him and a rookie mistake made by Culpepper who fielded a grounder cleanly, but then held on to the ball for a tick too long before throwing to first base. He will have to learn that major league talent gets down the line in a hurry.
–Zebby’s line: Six runs allowed (three earned) on seven hits with two walks and four whiffs across five innings. He is now 5-8 with a 5.23 ERA.
–After Zebby’s exit, five relievers held the Brewers scoreless for the next four innings, including Yoendrys Gomez who picked up save No. 16.
–All-Star pitcher Joe Ryan, who has struggled in his last three starts, has landed on the 15-day injured list, not with arm problems, thankfully, but with a strained left glute.
Comments