Santana, Jeffers HRs lead Twins to kick off Players’ Weekend
ARLINGTON — Twins outfielder Manuel Margot worked the longest plate appearance in the Majors this season to start the game. Then catcher Ryan Jeffers belted a solo home run with a bat resembling a pencil in the third inning to kick off Players’ Weekend. But the night belonged to first baseman Carlos Santana.
Santana’s three-run home run in the fifth broke a tie and lifted the Twins to a 4-3 victory over the Rangers on Friday night at Globe Life Field.
Santana sent a 3-2 changeup from Rangers starter Andrew Heaney into the Twins’ bullpen in left-center field. It scored Jeffers, who reached on a hit by pitch, and Margot, who singled, as the Twins took a 4-1 lead.
The Rangers scored single runs in the fifth and sixth to pull within a run, but the Twins held on for a second straight one-run victory in the series.
The game started with a lengthy, 16-pitch plate appearance between Margot and Heaney that ended with Margot flying out to left field. Margot fouled off 11 pitches during the plate appearance, including eight consecutive before flying out.
In the third, Jeffers erased an early 1-0 deficit with a solo home run using his pencil bat. Friday’s theme for the start of Players’ Weekend was “Fun,” as players were able to show off their personalities, friendships and off-field interests.