Seventh inning surge leads Twins past Marlins

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (KELO) — A five run seventh inning was key for the Twins as they kept pace in the AL Wild Card race, with an 8-3 win over the Marlins.

Miami’s Jake Burger hit a three run homerun in the top of the first, before an out was recorded.

Trevor Larnach singled in two runs in the third. Byron Buxton hit a solo homerun in the fourth to tie the game.

Minnesota loaded the bases in the fifth, but a lineout to left led to Carlos Correa being doubled off to end the inning. That left a sour taste in the Twins mouths, but they didn’t let that effect them too long.

A lead off double in the seventh got things started. Christian Vazquez laid down a bunt, which was followed by an error, scoring the go ahead run.

Carlos Correa doubled in an insurance run to build a 5-3 lead.

A few batters later, Carlos Santana cleared the bases with a double, building an 8-3 lead.

Justin Topa, the relief pitcher who the Twins acquired prior to the season in the Jorge Polanco trade, made his first appearance.

He threw a clean ninth inning with a strikeout. That capped an eight inning performance from the bullpen that saw five hits, no runs and 14 strikeouts.

THE RECORD

The Twins are now 82-76. The Royals and Tigers won today, meaning the Twins remain two games back of both teams, with four to play.

UP NEXT

The Twins and Marlins close their series on Thursday with a 6:40 first pitch in the Twin Cities.

Probable starters are David Festa (4.80 ERA) for the Twins and Valente Bellozo (3.82 ERA) for the Marlins.

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