Twins Set Record in Rout of Mariners
The Minnesota Twins need some more rotation help when it comes to being a year-long contender in the American League, but after Tuesday night, we know their offense is good to go. The AL Central-leaders set a franchise record with 28 hits in a 20-7 blowout of the Seattle Mariners at home. Eddie Rosario led the offensive charge with three home runs and five driven in, while Max Kepler and Brian Dozier went deep in the win. Rosario's three blasts makes him the first player in the modern era with a three-home run game from the nine spot in the lineup. Eduardo Escobar put up five of the Twins' hits, as they extended their Central lead to two games over the Cleveland Indians. They recorded the most hits in a single game since the Texas Rangers had 29 in a 30-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles in August of 2007. Seattle starter Christian Bergman was the victim of this explosion on Tuesday, surrendering nine runs on 10 hits in just 2.1 innings. Jason Castro contributed with four hits and four RBI, helping Minnesota improve to an AL-worst 13-19 on their home field. They will play host to Seattle for game 2 of the series on Wednesday night.
Cubs' Bats Wake Up in Win Over Mets
Another team that went off on Tuesday was a team that needed it desperately, as the Chicago Cubs came alive for a 14-3 rout of the New York Mets. Ian Happ had a grand slam to lead the Cubs, who had lost five of six overall, but brought their record back to .500 with the victory. The team also tried out a lineup switch, as Anthony Rizzo batted from the leadoff spot for the first time in his career, and it seemed to be a good fit as he went deep on the first pitch of the game. That long ball ended up going 462 feet against Zach Wheeler, who fell to 3-4 after allowing a career-worst eight runs in just 1.2 innings. Chicago set a season high with 14 runs and 15 hits, as they also got home runs from Kris Bryant, Jason Heyward, and Javier Baez. Jon Lester enjoyed the support in his 150th career win, as he tied a season high with 10 strikeouts. The Cubs sit just a game out of first place in the NL Central heading in to Wednesday's game 3 of the series in New York.
Red Sox Record Second Straight Walk-Off Win in Extras
The Boston Red Sox' recent home success against the Philadelphia Phillies continued this week in exciting fashion. They recorded their second consecutive walk-off win over the Phillies, as Andrew Benintendi singled home the winning run in the 12th inning for a 4-3 victory. The game-winner was the 23-year-old's first career walk-off hit, which scored Xander Bogaerts to end the contest. Fernandon Abad earned the win after throwing two scoreless innings for Boston, who has now won four of their past five games. Louis Garcia walked Bogaerts to begin the 12th and suffered the defeat when the shortstop scored the winning run. The Red Sox found a way to come away victors despite leaving 12 runners on base and going 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position. They did hold a 3-0 lead at one point, but the Phillies mounted a comeback, highlighted by Aaron Altherr's two-run home run. Philadelphia got an impressive outing from Ben Lively, who allowed three runs on eight hits in seven innings in what was his third career start. David Price made his home season debut for the Red Sox and allowed three runs in six innings while striking out six. Mitch Moreland did go deep for Boston, who will now head to Philadelphia to finish off the home-and-home interleague series on Wednesday night.
The Minnesota Twins need some more rotation help when it comes to being a year-long contender in the American League, but after Tuesday night, we know their offense is good to go. The AL Central-leaders set a franchise record with 28 hits in a 20-7 blowout of the Seattle Mariners at home. Eddie Rosario led the offensive charge with three home runs and five driven in, while Max Kepler and Brian Dozier went deep in the win. Rosario's three blasts makes him the first player in the modern era with a three-home run game from the nine spot in the lineup. Eduardo Escobar put up five of the Twins' hits, as they extended their Central lead to two games over the Cleveland Indians. They recorded the most hits in a single game since the Texas Rangers had 29 in a 30-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles in August of 2007. Seattle starter Christian Bergman was the victim of this explosion on Tuesday, surrendering nine runs on 10 hits in just 2.1 innings. Jason Castro contributed with four hits and four RBI, helping Minnesota improve to an AL-worst 13-19 on their home field. They will play host to Seattle for game 2 of the series on Wednesday night.
Cubs' Bats Wake Up in Win Over Mets
Another team that went off on Tuesday was a team that needed it desperately, as the Chicago Cubs came alive for a 14-3 rout of the New York Mets. Ian Happ had a grand slam to lead the Cubs, who had lost five of six overall, but brought their record back to .500 with the victory. The team also tried out a lineup switch, as Anthony Rizzo batted from the leadoff spot for the first time in his career, and it seemed to be a good fit as he went deep on the first pitch of the game. That long ball ended up going 462 feet against Zach Wheeler, who fell to 3-4 after allowing a career-worst eight runs in just 1.2 innings. Chicago set a season high with 14 runs and 15 hits, as they also got home runs from Kris Bryant, Jason Heyward, and Javier Baez. Jon Lester enjoyed the support in his 150th career win, as he tied a season high with 10 strikeouts. The Cubs sit just a game out of first place in the NL Central heading in to Wednesday's game 3 of the series in New York.
Red Sox Record Second Straight Walk-Off Win in Extras
The Boston Red Sox' recent home success against the Philadelphia Phillies continued this week in exciting fashion. They recorded their second consecutive walk-off win over the Phillies, as Andrew Benintendi singled home the winning run in the 12th inning for a 4-3 victory. The game-winner was the 23-year-old's first career walk-off hit, which scored Xander Bogaerts to end the contest. Fernandon Abad earned the win after throwing two scoreless innings for Boston, who has now won four of their past five games. Louis Garcia walked Bogaerts to begin the 12th and suffered the defeat when the shortstop scored the winning run. The Red Sox found a way to come away victors despite leaving 12 runners on base and going 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position. They did hold a 3-0 lead at one point, but the Phillies mounted a comeback, highlighted by Aaron Altherr's two-run home run. Philadelphia got an impressive outing from Ben Lively, who allowed three runs on eight hits in seven innings in what was his third career start. David Price made his home season debut for the Red Sox and allowed three runs in six innings while striking out six. Mitch Moreland did go deep for Boston, who will now head to Philadelphia to finish off the home-and-home interleague series on Wednesday night.