A six-run sixth inning fueled the Twins to a 10-5 win over the Mariners Thursday afternoon at Target Field.
Nelson Cruz and C.J. Cron homered for Minnesota to push their MLB-leading homer total to 132. Cruz led the way with three hits and three RBI, while Ehire Adrianza also had a three-hit day and three other Twins – Jorge Polanco, Marwin Gonzalez and Jonathan Schoop – had two hits apiece.
The Twins led 1-0 with two outs in the sixth inning but Ryne Harper relieved Michael Pineda and gave up a game-tying single to center field. Harper got out of the inning and Pineda was charged with the run, but Minnesota’s offense erupted for six runs in the sixth and three more in the seventh on Cron’s homer.
Fernando Romero, called up from Triple-A Rochester earlier in the day, gave up two runs and didn’t record an out in the eighth inning before Matt Magill relieved him and struggled his way to three outs in the eight, and three more in the ninth.
Magill allowed two runs on two hits and two walks.
The Twins’ bullpen (Harper, Morin, Romero and Magill) combined to allow four runs on five hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings.
The Twins are now 18-4 after a loss this season.
Up next: Twins vs. Royals, Friday at 7 p.m.
