Twins jump out to big lead, cruise past D-backs

Field Level Media|published: Thu 27th June, 24:42 2024

MLB: Minnesota Twins at Arizona Diamondbacks

Jun 26, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Hughes (56) reacts after giving up a two run home run to Minnesota Twins shortstop Willi Castro (50) during the fifth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Jose Miranda hit a three-run double and Willi Castro belted a two-run homer to lead the Minnesota Twins to an 8-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night at Phoenix.

Miranda, Carlos Correa and Carlos Santana had three hits apiece as Minnesota racked up 14 overall, including seven doubles, while evening the three-game series. Castro and Trevor Larnach each had two hits as the Twins won for the 11th time in their past 16 games.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had two RBIs for Arizona, which had just four hits while falling to 9-6 over its past 15 games.

Minnesota's Simeon Woods Richardson (3-1) was charged with three runs and four hits over 5 1/3 innings. He struck out four and walked two.

Minnesota relievers Josh Staumont, Steven Okert, Jhoan Duran and Ronny Henriquez combined for 3 2/3 perfect innings.

Arizona's Ryne Nelson (5-6) struggled mightily and gave up six runs and 10 hits -- including five doubles -- in 3 2/3 innings. He struck out three and walked none.

The Twins loaded the bases against Nelson in the second inning when Correa and Santana singled and Buxton was hit by a pitch. Miranda came up and ripped a 2-1 cutter into the gap in left-center field to clear the bases.

Buxton's sacrifice fly to center in the third made it 4-0. The Twins scored twice in the fourth on back-to-back doubles by Castro and Larnach and Correa's two-double.

Arizona scored in the bottom of the inning as Woods Richardson hit Joc Pederson with a pitch to start the frame. Pederson scored on a one-out triple by Gurriel.

In the top of the fifth, Miranda doubled with one out against Scott McGough, who then struck out Christian Vazquez before being pulled. Castro jumped all over Brandon Hughes' first pitch and swatted his fastball 428 feet into the left field seats to give Minnesota an 8-1 lead.

Woods Richardson walked Marte to start the sixth and allowed a one-out double to Christian Walker before being pulled. Staumont entered and threw a wild pitch for one Arizona run and allowed a sacrifice fly to Gurriel for another.

--Field Level Media