A solo homer from Byron Buxton and RBI double from Miguel Sano was just enough to lead the Twins to a 2-1 win over the Marlins in the opening game of a three-game series in Miami Tuesday night.
And a big in it was as the Indians were baffled by Justin Verlander in a 2-0 loss to the Houston Astros, pushing Minnesota’s lead over Cleveland in the American League Central Division to three games.
With the game scoreless in the third inning, Buxton’s 10th homer of the season – a 401-foot shot – gave the Twins a 1-0 lead.
With Byron Buxton hitting home run number 10…the @Twins now have ELEVEN players with 10-or-more homers this season.
The Twins now have 206 home runs on the season – tied for the 3rd most in club history (1963 team hit record 225)#BombaSquad #MNTwins
— Dustin Morse (@morsecode) July 30, 2019
Miguel Sano’s RBI double in the put the Twins up 2-0 in the fourth, which was followed by Miami getting its lone run in the bottom of the fourth.
Twins starter Jake Odorizzi allowed the one run on four hits but lasted just 5.2 innings. The bullpen picked him up with 3.1 scoreless innings, including 1.1 scoreless by Tyler Duffey and a socreless eighth inning by Sergio Romo.
Romo was making his first appearance for the Twins, who traded for the veteran right-hander two days earlier. Ironically, his first appearance for Minnesota came against the team he had converted 17 of 18 saves for this season.
Taylor Rogers worked a 1-2-3 ninth for the save.
Now all eyes are on Wednesday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline, and plenty of questions need to be answered.
- Will the Twins add bullpen help?
- Will the Twins add a high-end starter like Noah Syndergaard or Robbie Ray?
We already know that the Indians have reportedly traded pitcher Trevor Bauer to the Reds, with outfielder Yasiel Puig going to Cleveland and the Padres sending power hitter Franmil Reyes to the Cleveland in the three-team deal.
Right-hander Trevor Bauer has been traded to the Cincinnati Reds, sources familiar with the deal tells ESPN. He will move as part of a three-team deal with the San Diego Padres, according to sources.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 31, 2019
Left-hander Logan Allen is going to Cleveland as part of the three-way deal for Trevor Bauer, according to a source.
Other pieces known so far:
– Bauer to Cincinnati
– Yasiel Puig to Cleveland
– OF prospect Taylor Trammell to San Diego— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 31, 2019
The San Diego #Padres also sending Franmil Reyes and Logan Allen to Cleveland #Indians, per @dennistlin
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 31, 2019
Will the Twins respond accordingly to improve their team for the final stretch of the season?
We’ll be all over the swirling rumor mill as it develops before 3 p.m. Wednesday.
