SEATTLE (AP) — Alex Kirillov was twice shy of the course, Billy Uber was quick after a tough first half, and the Minnesota Twins beat the Seattle Mariners 10-3 on Tuesday night.
Minnesota (49-47) is 1.5 games ahead of the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central standings, having won their last four of five games. Seattle (47-47) is down three of five since the All-Star break.
Ober (6-4) allowed three runs on six hits in the first inning alone, including a two-run homer, but was effective in the final five innings, allowing one more hit.
“Going six innings past the first inning like that is absolutely amazing what he was able to do for us,” said Twins manager Rocco Baldelli. “This is a big reason why we won, they (Seattle) didn’t do anything after the first half.”
Uber has hit five without a walk and now has six consecutive quality hits.
“I feel like on my first ride I left a lot of stuff in the middle of the board,” Ober said. “The only thing I said we changed a bit more is throwing fastballs at the guys to try and make them more annoying.”
Frontrunners Jordan Palazovic, Emilio Pagan and Cole Sands led Seattle to two putts after Uber was out.
Kirillov recorded his third consecutive multi-hit game. He scored in the third to take a 4-3 lead, then tripled off Jared Kilic who jumped in the fourth and then scored on a double off Max Kepler. He added a song at eight, leaving only my doubles to complete the course.
“Having the AK drive those balls in reverse, as it is now, is significant for the era,” Baldelli said.
Bryan Woo (1-2) had his shortest outing since his debut on June 3, going just 3 1/3 innings in 87 pitches. The starter had an impressive streak, allowing no more than two runs in his last six starts before Minnesota threw seven home runs on eight strikeouts.
“It’s been 10 days since Brian Waugh made a show and he was so good for us and tonight it was just a struggle from the start, just wisdom,” said Seattle manager Scott Service.
On his 32nd birthday, Eugenio Suarez hit his 13th home run of the season, a two-run outburst in the first. A Tie France double followed to give the Mariners a 3-2 lead.
Ober’s first half could have been much worse, but the defense held two kicks to the board.
In the French double, Teoscar Hernandez was sacked by Carlos Correa after cutting Joey Gallo. The next batter, Mike Ford’s single to right, Kepler brought France up with ease.
Willy Castro called on Kirillov to give the Twins a 2-0 lead. Castro then struck out Edward Julián in the sixth to take an 8–3 lead, his third hit of the game.
Julian added a solo homer in the four while striking out three batters. In his last six matches, five have been all-limits.
“He should have been racing for a rookie for years,” said Kyle Farmer.
Farmer and Correa each added a solo homer in the ninth against Ty Adcock.
Banners project
Colt Emerson and Ty Petty practiced hitting and throwing ground balls for the first time at T-Mobile Park. Another sign, Johnny Farmelo, is coming over tonight and will be in practice with the team on Wednesday.
The trio, who were all recruited out of high school, will be traveling to Arizona for a mini-camp by Thursday.
today
Twins shocker DH Byron Buxton was given the day off on Tuesday. He hasn’t scored a hit in his last 21 knockouts.
Mariners star Julio Rodriguez was left off the roster on Tuesday. Service said he promised Rodriguez a day off after the All-Star Game festivities.
high blow
Minnesota was the 12th team to reach double digits on Tuesday night. That record was reached on May 30, 1884, the second in a single day, behind only 13 on July 4, 1894, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
the next
Minnesota RHB Kenta Maeda (2-5, 5.50 ERA) takes on Seattle RHB Luis Castillo (6-7, 2.96) on Wednesday.
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