Byron Buxton was a highlight machine on Tuesday night but the Minnesota Twins lost their sixth straight game in extra innings in a 6-3 loss to the Texas Rangers.
Kyle Gibson was tremendous in his return to Minnesota, where he spent the first seven seasons of his career before signing with Texas prior to the 2020 season. The right-hander threw eight innings against the Twins, allowing three runs and three hits.
While Gibson was able to limit the damage, two of those hits left the yard. After Adolis Garcia delivered an RBI single in the top of the first inning, Buxton’s seventh home run of the season put the Twins up 2-1.
BUCK TOOK GIBBY DEEP! 💥@Twins | #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/6IY0BgYrly
— FanDuel Sports Network North (@FanDuelSN_NOR) May 5, 2021
The Twins enjoyed some turtle power in the fifth inning as Willians Astudillo added to the lead with a solo home run.
TORTUGA LAUNCH PAD 🐢🚀@Twins | #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/04q5nNDFZV
— FanDuel Sports Network North (@FanDuelSN_NOR) May 5, 2021
While the Twins were taking Gibson deep, J.A. Happ was continuing his strong start to the season. Happ allowed one run over 5.1 innings before the Twins turned to their bullpen.
Hansel Robles was one of the arms to come in relief and received back up in the form of a diving catch from Buxton in the seventh inning.
Two-thirds of the Earth is covered by wa—
JK, BUCK HAS GOT THE OCEANS COVERED TOO 😱 pic.twitter.com/jJ8lWMioSg
— FanDuel Sports Network North (@FanDuelSN_NOR) May 5, 2021
Buxton’s catch helped the Twins lead hold up until the ninth inning but things unraveled with Taylor Rogers on the mound. Kole Calhoun chipped into the lead with a solo home run to lead off the ninth and with two men on, Isaiah Kiner-Falefa hit a sacrifice fly to send the game into extra innings.
The Twins sent Brandon Waddell out for the 10th inning and the Rangers made them pay with a two-run homer from Garcia to take a 5-3 lead. With an insurance run coming on an RBI double from Charlie Culberson, the Rangers were able to close out the Twins and even the four-game series.
The Twins (11-17) will host the third game of the series on Wednesday night.
