ARLINGTON, Texas — Carlos Santana hit a game-winning three-run home run, Ryan Jeffers hit a home run with a bat that looked like a pencil, and the playoff contenders Minnesota Twins beat the Texas Rangers 4-3 on Friday night.
One night after hitting a game-winning sacrifice fly in the ninth inning, Santana’s 17th home run with one out in the fifth inning gave Minnesota a 4-1 lead, eclipsing Texas starter Andrew Heaney (4-13), who has the most losses in the major leagues.
“Challenging game,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “We battled through it and found ways to do something good. We had some really big swings… Jeffers and Santana helped us out really well.”
The Twins (69-53) reached 16 games over .500 for the first time since their 101-win 2019 season and moved to within three games of Cleveland for the AL Central lead after the Guardians’ loss. Minnesota has the best record in MLB with 62 wins since April 22 after winning just seven of its first 20 games and holds the AL’s second wild card.
Reigning World Series champion Texas (56-67) fell to 11 games under .500 for the first time this season. They have lost 15 of 20 games since a five-game winning streak in late July.
Twins rookie Simeon Woods Richardson (4-3), a native of Texas, allowed two runs in five innings. Jhoan Duran, Minnesota’s sixth pitcher, made his 18th save in 19 chances in the ninth inning.
“We worked our asses off every pitch. From my perspective, it wasn’t the best performance, but I knew I had to keep everything under control and give my team the best chance to win. And for the bullpen to come in and do a great job, for our hitters to come alive. … All of that is really important.”
Heaney struck out eight players and threw 97 pitches, the first 16 of which came to Manuel Margot early in the game. The Twins’ leadoff hitter picked up 11 fouls, eight in a row after reaching a full count before his flyout went to left. He was followed by Santana and Max Kepler, both of whom flew out after one pitch.
“I told my teammates that I would be tired,” Margot said with a grin.
That was the second-longest at-bat in the major leagues this season. Only Colorado’s Ryan McMahon managed an 18-pitch at-bat against Washington on June 22.
Marcus Semien hit his 18th home run for the Rangers, a two-out solo hit in the bottom of the fifth inning. Wyatt Langford had a sacrifice fly in the second inning and an RBI single in the sixth.
Jeffers opened the Twins’ third with his 18th home run. He was hit by a pitch early in the fifth before scoring on a long ball from Santana.
Adolis García had his 16th hit in the last nine games, and the Rangers right fielder also took a probable home run from Royce Lewis. García jumped near the wall and had his glove extended over the wall when he caught the ball to end the fifth inning.
TRAINING ROOM
Twins: RHP Joe Ryan sought a second opinion that confirmed the team’s original diagnosis: He severely strained a muscle in his throwing shoulder, which will keep him out of action for an extended period of time. … All-Star SS Carlos Correa (plantar fasciitis in right foot) is beginning daily walking, which is a final step before he can proceed with a rehab effort. He has been on the injured list since July 20. … Twins coach Nick Paparesta said the inflammation in CF Byron Buxton’s right hip appears to be scar tissue from a previous injury in 2022.
Rangers: RHP Max Scherzer (shoulder fatigue) threw a 25-pitch bullpen. The three-time Cy Young Award winner said everything went well and he expects to throw 40 pitches in another session Sunday.
Next
RHP Nathan Eovaldi (8-6, 3.75 ERA) is scheduled to pitch for Texas on Saturday night, a week after leaving his last start because of right-side tightness. Rookie right-hander David Festa (2-2, 5.20) starts for Minnesota.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
