WASHINGTON (AP) – Tuesday night’s 10-0 victory over the Washington Nationals by the Minnesota Twins ended a seven-game losing streak. Byron Buxton hit two home runs and drove in three runs, while Joe Ryan pitched seven scoreless innings.
The Twins scored eight runs off Nationals left-hander Patrick Corbin (1–5), including a two-run home drive from Jose Miranda. After losing the first game of the series 12-3 on Monday night, Minnesota bounced back with a two-run blast off reliever Jacob Barnes. This came after a players-only meeting.
The Twins scored more runs in the game overall than they did in the six games before to their slump combined.
The manager of Minnesota, Rocco Baldelli, celebrated his 400th career victory. “That was an enjoyable day at the ballpark, to say the least,” he remarked. “You can say whatever you want to say about how many guys desired or needed it. However, it’s encouraging to see so many men pitching in.”
Corbin gave up three walks and nine hits, and all eight of the runs he gave up were earned, which was a season-high.
“Kinda one of those days where it seemed like anything I threw got hit,” Corbin stated.
For the third time in seven games, the Nationals were shut out, with two of Washington’s three hits coming from Jacob Young. The day before, they had ended their own five-game losing streak.
Following a 14-game absence due to right knee soreness, Buxton has recorded hits in each of his three starts since making his comeback.
In the second, he scored the first goal of the game on Tuesday by taking Corbin’s 0-1 offering the other way and finishing alone. In the fifth inning, he extended Minnesota’s lead to 6-0 with his third two-run home run of the year, which was hit a little bit closer to dead centre.
Buxton admitted, “I’ve been overthinking a little bit.” “Today, just kind of went up there and didn’t try to do too much.”
For Ryan (3-3), who gave up three singles and two walks in his first scoreless appearance since June of last year, that was more than enough assistance.
It was only the second time a Nationals runner has advanced to scoring position when both free passes occurred in Ryan’s last inning. With his sixth strikeout of the inning, he got rid of Joey Gallo.
“If I go out for the inning, I expect to finish it,” Ryan stated.
Room for Trainers
3B/SS twins Monday marked Royce Lewis’s first time running the bases since he was placed on the 10-day disabled list in late March due to a right quad strain. R.H. On Tuesday and Friday, Josh Winder (scapular stress fracture) was scheduled to pitch two and a half innings for Triple-A St. Paul as part of his rehabilitation assignment. In his first five rehab appearances, he has given up eight runs, seven of which were earned.
Citizens: OF In his first rehab game for Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday, Lane Thomas (left knee sprain) went 0 for 3 while stealing a base. On Wednesday, he will play once more.
Next up
Pitching for the first time, Nationals RHP Jake Irvin (2-4, 3.91 ERA), a native of the Twin Cities and a former Twins draft pick in high school, takes on Minnesota, sending rookie RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (1-0, 2.97 ERA).
