Bell's Homer, Jeffers Double Power Twins Past Braves 4-1

By Troy Geary 

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network 

The Disability Channel 

MINNEAPOLIS:

The Minnesota Twins continued their push down the stretch Tuesday night, getting timely hitting and another strong performance from their pitching staff in a 4-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves at Target Field.

The Twins wasted little time getting on the scoreboard.

Josh Bell launched a two-run home run in the first inning, giving Minnesota an early 2-0 lead and putting the Braves in an early hole.

That lead would hold for most of the night as Zebby Matthews kept Atlanta’s lineup under control.

Matthews worked 5.2 innings, allowing five hits and one run. He walked one and struck out four while giving the Twins another solid start when they needed it most.

The Braves finally broke through in the sixth inning when Drake Baldwin hit a solo home run, cutting Minnesota’s lead to 2-1.

Matthews limited the damage and departed with the Twins still in front.

From there, Minnesota’s bullpen took over.

Kody Funderburk recorded the final out of the sixth inning before Andrew Morris worked a scoreless seventh, striking out one. A.J. Minter followed with a scoreless eighth inning.

The Twins then gave themselves some breathing room.

Ryan Jeffers delivered the big insurance hit with a two-run double, extending Minnesota’s lead to 4-1 and giving the Twins’ pitching staff some much-needed cushion heading into the final inning.

Yoendrys Gómez took care of the Braves in the ninth, allowing one hit and striking out one to earn his 19th save of the season.

Minnesota’s pitching staff held Atlanta to just six hits and one run while striking out seven and walking only one.

Offensively, the Twins collected 10 hits, with Bell’s two-run homer and Jeffers’ two-run double providing all four of Minnesota’s runs.

The Braves had opportunities but couldn’t capitalize, going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and leaving six runners on base.

Drake Baldwin finished 2-for-4 with the home run and Atlanta’s only RBI, while Michael Harris II collected three hits.

Tyler Mahle took the loss for Atlanta after allowing four runs on 10 hits.

For the Twins, it was another example of the formula they need as the playoff race continues to tighten.

Get the big hit when the opportunity comes.

Get quality innings from the starter.

Then turn the game over to the bullpen.

Tuesday night, Minnesota did exactly that.

Bell’s early home run gave the Twins the lead, Jeffers’ double provided the insurance, and Matthews and the bullpen made sure Atlanta never got back into the game.

The Twins have now won the first two games of the series and will look to finish off the Braves and complete the sweep Wednesday afternoon at Target Field in the series finale.

BRAVES

1. Drake Baldwin — DH
2. Ronald Acuña Jr. — RF
3. Matt Olson — 1B
4. Michael Harris II — CF
5. Ozzie Albies — 2B
6. Mike Yastrzemski — LF
7. Austin Riley — 3B
8. Mauricio Dubón — SS
9. Sean Murphy — C

P: Tyler Mahle — RHP (4-9, 4.64 ERA)

TWINS

1. Luke Keaschall — CF
2. Trevor Larnach — LF
3. Ryan Jeffers — C
4. Josh Bell — DH
5. Kody Clemens — 2B
6. Royce Lewis — 1B
7. Brooks Lee — 3B
8. Alan Roden — RF
9. Kaelen Culpepper — SS

P: Zebby Matthews — RHP (6-8, 5.34 ERA)

Team News and Notes:

OF Austin Martin was placed on the 10-Day Injured List. C/1B Alex Jackson who cleared waivers, was recalled from AAA St. Paul.

By Troy Geary 

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

The Disability Channel 

MINNEAPOLIS:

After a tough weekend against the Philadelphia Phillies, the Minnesota Twins needed a response.

They got one Monday night.

The Twins jumped out to a four-run lead in the first inning and held on late, defeating the Atlanta Braves 4-2 at Target Field. Minnesota improved to 61-65 on the season and snapped a three-game losing streak.

Minnesota wasted little time getting its offense going against Braves starter Martín Pérez.

Luke Keaschall started the first inning with a double, and after Byron Buxton reached on a walk, Ryan Jeffers also worked a walk to load the bases. Josh Bell then delivered the biggest hit of the inning, driving in two runs with a double.

Royce Lewis followed with an RBI single, and Kody Clemens added another RBI single as the Twins quickly built a 4-0 advantage.

Bell finished the night 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a walk, while Keaschall went 2-for-4 and Clemens collected two hits and an RBI. Lewis also added an RBI for a Twins offense that finished with 10 hits.

The Braves answered in the fifth inning.

Ronald Acuña Jr. delivered a two-run double, cutting Minnesota's lead in half and putting pressure back on the Twins. But Minnesota's pitching staff responded by keeping Atlanta off the scoreboard the rest of the way.

Bailey Ober got the start for Minnesota and battled through 4⅓ innings. He allowed six hits and two runs while striking out four and walking one. Ober wasn't at his best, but he helped keep the Twins in front before turning the game over to the bullpen.

The bullpen did the rest.

Taylor Rogers recorded two outs in the fifth before Travis Adams took over. Adams was outstanding, throwing two scoreless innings while striking out three. Jeff Hoffman followed with a scoreless eighth, and Yoendrys Gómez closed the door in the ninth for his 18th save of the season.

Atlanta managed just seven hits and went 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position. The Braves also left 11 runners on base, giving Minnesota's pitching staff plenty of opportunities to escape trouble.

For the Twins, this was more than just another win in August.

After being swept by Philadelphia over the weekend, Minnesota entered Monday just 1½ games out of the final American League Wild Card spot. The Twins now have a chance to build some momentum against an Atlanta team that entered the series with one of the better records in the National League.

The Twins didn't need a perfect performance.

They needed a response.

They got four runs early, received enough from Ober, and watched their bullpen shut the door.

Now, Minnesota has an opportunity to turn one win into something more as this three-game series continues.

The season is far from over.

And Monday night, the Twins reminded everyone of that.

Atlanta Braves

1. Drake Baldwin — C
2. Ronald Acuña Jr. — DH
3. Matt Olson — 1B
4. Michael Harris II — CF
5. Mauricio Dubón — LF
6. Ozzie Albies — 2B
7. Mike Yastrzemski — RF
8. Austin Riley — 3B
9. Jim Jarvis — SS

Pitcher: Martín Pérez (LHP)

Minnesota Twins

1. Luke Keaschall — RF
2. Byron Buxton — CF
3. Ryan Jeffers — C
4. Josh Bell — DH
5. Royce Lewis — 1B
6. Kody Clemens — 2B
7. Brooks Lee — 3B
8. Kaelen Culpepper — SS
9. Alan Roden — LF

Pitcher: Bailey Ober (RHP)