On the night Joe Mauer was inducted into the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame, it was a catcher leading the Twins to an 12-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Mauer watched as Ryan Jeffers doubled and homered twice, driving in four runs as the Twins dominated from start to finish in front of a packed house at Target Field.
Michael A. Taylor hit his 15th homer of the season and Max Kepler went deep for the 17th time. Kepler, Jeffers, Matt Wallner and Eddy Julien each had three hits to lead Minnesota’s 17-hit attack, which was just what the doctor ordered for a Minnesota pitching staff that has often received little run support.
Kenta Maeda started for the Twins and he allowed just one run on two hits over six innings. Jordan Balazovic pitched two shutout innings and Jovani Moran finished the game with a scoreless ninth inning despite loading the bases on walks.
Thank you for everything, Joe! We love you ❤#MNTwins | #JM7 pic.twitter.com/odi8ZkLnZP
— FanDuel Sports Network North (@FanDuelSN_NOR) August 5, 2023
Joe Mauer never let the high expectations get to his head. He talks about how lessons he learned as a kid helped him be a true professional.#MNTwins | #JM7 pic.twitter.com/lJR3tXT8OJ
— FanDuel Sports Network North (@FanDuelSN_NOR) August 6, 2023
The White Sox beat the Guardians so Minnesota now leads the AL Central by 3.5 games entering play Sunday.
