Pitching and Offense lead Twins past Brewers

Ricky Nolasco #47 of the Minnesota Twins pitches in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on April 21, 2016 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

(April 21, 2016 - Source: Dylan Buell/Getty Images North America)

Strong pitching and hot bats help the Minnesota Twins beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8-1 at Miller Park.

The Twins loaded the bases in the first inning on a double from leadoff hitter 3B Jorge Polanco and two one-out walks to 1B Joe Mauer and RF Miguel Sano. LF Eddie Rosario followed with an infield single, which drove Polanco home. SS Eduardo Escobar grounded out on the next at-bat but Joe Mauer managed to run home for a 2-0 lead.

It took Milwaukee’s SP Taylor Jungmann 30 pitches to end the inning.

Milwaukee’s leadoff hitter RF Domingo Santana opened the bottom of the first inning with a double. LF Ryan Braun hit an RBI single, which turned out to be Milwaukee’s only run of the game.

Taylor Jungmann needed only 11 pitches in the second inning but his struggles continued in the third. He walked the first two batters he faced, 2B Brian Dozier and Joe Mauer, and Miguel Sano’s single drove in Dozier for Minnesota’s third run of the game.

Milwaukee’s starting pitcher was relieved in the fifth inning after the first two batters reached base. Jungmann gave up 4 hits and 6 walks while striking out 2. His ERA is 8.47 on the season with a WHIP of 1.82. It was his third straight loss in four starts.

The Twins were pouring it on in the last three innings. Miguel Sano homered in the seventh inning to make it 4-1 for Minnesota.

Milwaukee’s RP Sam Freeman had to endure two rough innings. He gave up a double to CF Byron Buxton and allowed him to reach third base on a horrendous throwing error. Byron Buxton reached home plate after a sacrifice fly ball by Jorge Polanco and Brian Dozier’s home run gave the Twins a 6-1 lead after the eighth inning.

Minnesota’s first two batters reached base in the top of the ninth inning. Eduardo Escobar’s single drove in PR Max Kepler for another run and PH Eduardo Nunez’ sacrifice fly ball brought Eddie Rosario home for the final score of 8-1.

Minnesota’s SP Ricky Nolasco pitched 6.1 innings, allowing 5 hits and one walk while striking out 7. He pitched in the seventh inning in each of his three starts. His ERA is now 2.66 with a 0.98 WHIP.

The Brewers (7-9) host the Philadelphia Phillies (7-9) next from Friday to Sunday. The Minnesota Twins (5-11) play another interleague series at the Washington Nationals (11-4) from Friday through Sunday.