Twins continue upward surge with convincing opener win
DETROIT — Royce Lewis didn’t even celebrate his return to the roster with his customary home run in his first game back — but there doesn’t seem to be much pressure on Lewis as just one part of the Twins’ upward surge right now.
No need to stress when a healthy Byron Buxton continues to play like a bona fide superstar and staff ace Pablo López seems to be in the midst of stabilizing a once-rocky season while the rest of the lineup also creates plenty of opportunities and power — as the Twins did aplenty in a convincing 9-3 victory over the Tigers at Comerica Park to begin their Trade Deadline road trip on Friday.
Already carrying a 1.114 OPS in July entering the night, Buxton stayed red-hot with a first-inning solo blast, when he went back-to-back with Trevor Larnach to give Minnesota a big start, then later added an RBI double as part of a three-run fourth inning.
Coupled with three-hit nights from both Brooks Lee and Christian Vázquez — who also went deep, along with Matt Wallner — the Twins never let up, taking advantage of their improving health situation after a very banged-up and injury-depleted version of their roster still had enough might to win a series against the MLB-best Phillies earlier in the week.
And still, there’s even more to come, with Jose Miranda — one of the hottest hitters in baseball before his injury — seemingly set to come off the IL on Saturday, Carlos Correa perhaps not too far behind him and the potential for the club to add by next Tuesday’s Trade Deadline.