Max Kepler busted out of a 0-for-21 slump in style, launching a trio of homers – his 13th, 14th and 15th this season – in a 5-4 Twins win over the Indians Thursday night.
The victory kept the Twins from being swept in Cleveland.
Kepler homered to lead off the game in the first, then again in the third and seventh innings. He beat out an infield single in the ninth to complete a 4-for-4 night at the plate with four RBI and three runs scored.
Ironically, Kepler now owns two of the 10 three-homer games in Twins history. The first time he did – Aug. 1, 2016 – was also against the Indians.
The last Twin prior to Kepler Thursday night to homer three times in a game was Eddie Rosario on June 3, 2018.
Max Kepler is the first opposing player with 3 HR in Cleveland since … Max Kepler (8/1/16). pic.twitter.com/11szo9yD4v
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) June 7, 2019
Jose Berrios fired six innings and allowed just one run on two hits while striking out six. He’s now 8-2 with a 3.14 ERA.
The Twins won, but not without some drama. Taylor Rogers got two outs to start the ninth inning and then served up a solo homer to Orlando Mercado to make it a 5-4 game. Rogers got Roberto Perez to ground out to end the game.
The Twins are now 41-20 and have a 10 1/2-game lead on Cleveland in the AL Central.
Up next: Twins at Tigers, Friday at 6:10 p.m. Kyle Gibson takes the mound against Detroit ace, Matthew Boyd.
