Byron Buxton Powers Twins With Two Home Runs As Twins Evade A Sweep

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

Byron Buxton hit two home runs and a double as the Minnesota Twins took out two days of frustration with a convincing, 12-5 win.

The Twins avoided a sweep and losing streak at six games and returned to .500 on the season. The Reds four-game winning streak was shattered.

For the third straight game Buxton  homered. For the second straight game his 14th home run of the season lead off the game. He is fifth all-time on the Twins with 14 leadoff home runs.

Terry Francona managed Cleveland a division rival of the Twins for years.

I've seen him too much. He's one of those guys if he's on your team, you can really admire him. When he's on the other team, it's no fun," Francona said.

The Reds came back against Chris Paddack, the Twins' starter. TJ Friedl doubled to lead off the Reds' first inning. Two outs later Tyler Stephenson singled to score Friedl from third base. Spencer Steer doubled down the left field line and Stephenson scored from first base to give the Reds the lead.

Reds' starter, Nick Martinez, got the first two outs in the second inning. He walked Ryan Jeffers. Kody Clemens, the son of Roger Clemens, hit his seventh home run of the season into the Twins' bullpen. Buxton followed him with his fourth home run of the season and 15th of the season to put the Twins ahead, 4-2.

Minnesota added three more runs in the third against Martinez. Willi Castro and Carlos Correa singled. Ty France hit a double over Steer's head in left. Elly De La Cruz had a chance to get Castro at the plate but his throw was over Stephenson's head. Jeffers doubled to score Correa and France.

Lyon Richardson relieved Martinez. He struck out Clemens to end the rally.

Martinez allowed seven runs on seven hits and a walk in 2 2/3 innings. He struck out four but three of the seven hits were home runs.

"I thought his stuff was good. He didn't locate it like he can. He made mistakes and paid for it," Francona said. "It seamed like it happened all day. We got the first two out then couldn't get the third out. It drove every one's pitch count up and lead to some runs.

The Reds got two runs back in the third. Friedl singled and Gavin Lux lined his third home run into the Twins' bullpen. 

The Twins got the two runs back. Richardson repeated Martinez mistake by walking Castro with two outs. Trevor Larnach doubled and Correa singled for the second time to replenish the five run lead at, 9-4.

The Reds got closer with a two-out run in the seventh. Matt McLain singled with two outs. He went to second on wild pitch by Cole Sands. Friedl's third hit of the day drove in McLain. Connor Joe hit for Lux when Twin's manager, Rocco Baldelli, summoned left hander Danny Coulombe. Joe walked and both runners moved up but De La Cruz struck out to end the inning.

Jeffers hit his fifth home run of the year with Correa on base with his third hit. It came off former Twins' pitcher Taylor Rogers.