Twins Edge Cardinals 9-8 with Late-Inning Power Surge

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — In a thrilling contest on Friday night, the Minnesota Twins triumphed over the St. Louis Cardinals with a score of 9-8, thanks to a late-game power display that featured homers from Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee in the eighth inning. Cardinal reliever Ryne Stanek faced difficulties, yielding three home runs, including Kody Clemens’ tying shot in the seventh.

Stanek (2-1) entered the game with two runners on and two outs, and on his third pitch, Clemens connected for his tenth home run, leveling the score at 7-7. Returning for the eighth, Stanek faced Lewis, who hit his fifth homer on the first pitch, bringing the score to 8-7. Lee followed shortly after, hitting his eleventh home run, and pushing the Twins ahead.

Anthony Banda (2-0) played a crucial role, escaping a one-out bases-loaded situation in the eighth to secure the victory. Andrew Morris then took the mound in the ninth, earning his second career save with a flawless performance.

The game began with Alec Burleson giving the Cardinals an early lead by hitting his 12th home run, extending his hitting streak to a personal-best 12 games. Byron Buxton quickly answered with his 21st homer, marking his fourth in six games, to tie the game at 1-1. He also contributed with two doubles and a walk, scoring three times during the match.

Blaze Jordan, in his first major league appearance, made an impact with an RBI single that pushed St. Louis ahead 2-1, finishing the game with a 2-for-4 performance. The Cardinals continued to build their lead until Lewis’s heroics turned the tide in the eighth.

On Saturday, the teams will continue their series with Cardinals’ left-hander Matthew Liberatore (3-3, 4.48) facing off against Twins’ left-hander Connor Prielipp (2-4, 5.15).