Starting Lineups:

Minnesota Twins (33-40):

1) Austin Martin (R) RF

2) Byron Buxton (R) CF

3) Kody Clemens (L) 1B

4) Royce Lewis (R) 3B

5) Josh Bell (S) DH

6) Kyler Fedko (R) LF

7) Luke Keaschall (R) 2B

8) Ryan Kreidler (R) SS

9) Alex Jackson (R) C

Starting Pitcher: RHP Mike Paredes (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Texas Rangers (35-36):

1) Joc Pederson (L) DH

2) Josh Jung (R) 3B

3) Wyatt Langford (R) LF

4) Brandon Nimmo (L) RF

5) Jake Burger (R) 1B

6) Alejandro Osuna (L) CF

7) Cody Freeman (R) 2B

8) Nicky Lopez (L) SS

9) Elías Díaz (R) C

Starting Pitcher: LHP Mackenzie Gore (4-5, 4.18 ERA)

Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX — In the series opener, the Minnesota Twins took down the Texas Rangers 4-2 thanks to two long balls.

The Twins would open the scoring in the top of the first inning thanks to the long ball.

Austin Martin led off with a double, and two batters later, Royce Lewis worked a walk. After that, Josh Bell kept the line moving and crushed a ball to left field for a three-run homer to put the Twins up 3-0.

The Rangers would get on the board in the bottom of the third thanks to a long ball of their own.

Elias Diaz hit a line drive to right field to reach with one out in the bottom of the third, and one batter later, Joc Pederson would absolutely demolish a ball to deep right field to get the Rangers on the board with a two-run homer, 3-2 Twins.

The Twins would score again thanks to another deep fly in the top of the sixth inning.

Byron Buxton found a pitch he liked and parked it in the right-center field seats to put the Twins up 4-2.

Josh Jung – photo courtesy of MLB.com

The Good: The Minnesota Twins hit two homers — the first was a three-run shot and a solo shot, to power their way past the Rangers.

The Bad/The Ugly: Rangers’ starter Mackenzie Gore didn’t have his best night on the mound, giving up four runs on two home runs. Although he had moments of dominance, striking out 10, it was overshadowed by the four runs he surrendered.

-Matt Koper

Founder of Koper’s Korner