Royce Lewis hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning and the Minnesota Twins defeated the visiting Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 on Sunday afternoon.
Minnesota (74-62) took two of three from Toronto (67-72) to complete a 3-6 homestand.
Ernie Clement hit a solo home run for the Blue Jays, who finished a 3-4 road trip.
Toronto right-hander Yariel Rodriguez was replaced after three innings. He allowed no runs, three hits and two walks.
Minnesota right-hander Bailey Ober allowed one run, one hit and three walks while striking out eight in six innings.
Clement hit an elevated first-pitch fastball to left center with one out in the first for his 11th homer of the season.
Minnesota left the bases loaded in the bottom of the first.
Ryan Yarbrough replaced Rodriguez in the fourth and hit pinch hitter Austin Martin with a pitch. Martin moved from second to third after second baseman Leo Jimenez caught Max Kepler’s foul ball before tumbling into the net behind first base. Jimenez was shaken but stayed in the game and he also caught the inning-ending popup.
Zach Pop walked Lewis to open the home seventh and was replaced by Brendon Little. There were runners at the corners with one out after third baseman Luis De Los Santos threw wildly to second on Brooks Lee’s chopper. Lewis scored on Carlos Santana’s groundout to third.
Griffin Jax (4-4) walked Nathan Lukes to open the eighth and Clement followed with a single. Lukes took third on a flyout to center by Spencer Horwitz. Clement stole second. Addison Barger walked to load the bases. Jimenez was hit by a pitch to force in a run. Another run scored on Joey Loperfido’s groundout for a 3-1 Toronto advantage.
Chad Green (4-4) allowed singles to Ryan Jeffers and Martin with one out in the bottom of the eighth. Lewis hit his 16th homer of the season — and first in 17 games — on a drive to left.
Jhoan Duran hit a batter in the ninth before earning his 20th save.
Minnesota put Manuel Margot (groin strain) on the list.
Toronto claimed right-hander Dillon Tate off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles, optioned him to Triple-A Buffalo and designated right-hander Paolo Espino for assignment.
–Field Level Media