7-run 4th inning powers Twins to 11-4 win over Padres

A day after another bullpen implosion extended their losing streak to three games, the Minnesota Twins’ offense made sure to give their pitchers plenty of cushion.

Highlighted by a seven-run fourth inning, the Twins took down the Padres 11-4 on Wednesday, avoiding a sweep in San Diego.

That, coupled with a Cleveland loss at the hands of the Yankees, brought the Twins back within 2.5 games of the division-leading Guardians.

Five different Twins had multiple hits and six drove in at least one run, giving rookie Simeon Woods Richardson and the bullpen plenty of run support.

Woods Richardson struggled early on, giving up a hit and issuing two walks in a 29-pitch first inning. However, he managed to keep the Padres off the board and settled in from there. He surrendered just two more hits over the rest of his start, giving up his lone run on a solo shot to former Twin Donovan Solano in his final frame.

The Padres did score three in the eighth off Minnesota reliever Ronny Henriquez but it still barely made a dent in the Twins’ lead and the offense quickly added a run back in the top of the ninth.

The Twins now get an off-day on Thursday before opening a weekend series back home at Target Field against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Rookie David Festa (2-2, 4.96 ERA) is scheduled to start Friday’s game against Cardinals righty Andre Pallante (5-6, 4.07 ERA). First pitch in that one is set for 7:10 p.m.