Minnesota Twins’ Offensive Explosion Against Framber Valdez Shows Potential
The Twins put their talent on display against a two-time All-Star.
The Minnesota Twins don't have the most stacked lineup on paper, as center fielder Byron Buxton is their only position player with an above-average track record. However, that didn't matter in Wednesday's 8-6 win over the Detroit Tigers. The Twins scored all eight of their runs on Tigers starter Framber Valdez, who gave up 10 hits over five innings.
The southpaw gave up just one earned run over his first two starts, but Minnesota rallied immediately and didn't let up. Buxton opened the scoring by running home on a wild pitch before Ryan Jeffers hit an RBI groundout to make it 2-0 in the bottom of the first. Josh Bell then hit an RBI single before Matt Wallner smacked an RBI double and Royce Lewis hit a two-run single, making it 6-0 with just one out.
Valdez then retired the next two hitters to finally end the frame. The score stayed that way until Luke Keaschall notched an RBI single in the fourth. Buxton also came home again in the sixth when Austin Martin got picked off and caught stealing second, making the score 8-2.
The Tigers had a four-run rally on Minnesota reliever Anthony Banda in the seventh, but it wasn't enough to come back. Twins' Lineup Could Be Better Than It Looks Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25). © Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images Anything can happen in a baseball game, but scoring eight runs on Valdez is no small feat.