The Twins managed just one hit in six innings against Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer but Minnesota teed off when Texas’s bullpen entered the game.
Trailing 1-0 at the top of the seventh inning, the Rangers went to reliever Brock Burke and he was rocked by Jordan Luplow for a two-run homer and then Christian Vazquez went deep for a solo shot and a 3-1 Minnesota lead.
In the eighth, the Rangers tried Josh Sborz and the right-hander served up a two-run homer to Jorge Polanco. That gave the Twins a 5-1 lead and the bullpen took care of the rest to help Minnesota stay five games ahead of Cleveland in the AL Central race.
The Guardians rallied to beat the Rays 3-2 Friday night. Minnesota and Cleveland begin a critical three-game series Monday in Cleveland.
Buxton leaves rehab game early
Potentially bad news for the Twins is that Byron Buxton left his rehab game with the St. Paul Saints early on Friday night. Buxton struck out in the first inning and struck out again in the second inning, having started the game batting third as the designated hitter. He played center field in his first rehab assignment game with the Saints on Wednesday.
According to Phil Miller of the Star Tribune, Buxton was taken out of the game because of a sore patella tendon in his right knee. A Twins spokesperson told Miller that Buxton will be evaluated on Saturday.
Buxton last played with the Twins on Aug. 1. He was placed on the injured list Aug. 4 with a right hamstring strain, but its his right knee ailing him now, apparently. It’s the same knee that Buxton had surgery on last September, with his winter-long recovery keeping him out for the bulk of spring training.
