Alex Kirilloff hit a decisive three-run homer in the eighth inning, leading the Minnesota Twins to a 5-3 win over the Texas Rangers on Saturday. This victory marked the Twins’ fourth straight win. Kirilloff’s home run, his second crucial one in as many days, came off a pitch from David Robertson (2-2), launching it into the left-center bullpen.
Kirilloff, who had been struggling with a 7-for-59 slump that dropped his batting average to .202, has shown significant improvement in the past eight days, going 5-for-16 with three home runs. “Knowing how much he’s been working and certainly been showing signs of coming out of it, for him to deliver the big one there in the eighth was huge, off a really good pitcher,” commented Twins bench coach Jace Tingler.
This game marked only the second time this season Kirilloff had multiple hits, as he also singled and scored in the seventh inning. Reflecting on his recent struggles, Kirilloff emphasized the importance of perseverance, stating, “Sticking with the process has been the biggest thing — showing up every day ready to work. Let it come naturally, but at the same time, try to figure out what the adjustment is. It’s kind of been a balance.”
Cole Sands (2-0) contributed two perfect innings to earn the win, while Jhoan Duran secured his sixth save with a flawless ninth inning. For the Rangers, Ezequiel Duran hit a home run and made a critical defensive play by throwing out a runner at the plate. Starter Michael Lorenzen pitched six solid innings, allowing just one run on three hits, extending his streak of six-inning starts to seven, the longest in the majors this season. Despite his strong performance, Lorenzen has not won in his last six starts.
The game’s turning point came when Lorenzen was pulled after warming up for the seventh inning due to a cramp in his lower right leg. “It’s frustrating. I felt like I ambushed the bullpen, and I hate putting the bullpen in that situation,” Lorenzen said, despite his efforts to convince manager Bruce Bochy to let him continue pitching, which were ultimately unsuccessful.
The Twins capitalized on this opportunity, with Kirilloff’s homer securing the win and extending the Rangers’ losing streak to six games, having lost 12 of their last 14.
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