Twins Outlast A's in 9-6 Win at Sutter Health Park

Bell and Buxton Drive Offense

Josh Bell and Jake Buxton provided the offensive spark for the Minnesota Twins in their 9-6 defeat of the Sacramento Athletics on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at Sutter Health Park. The Twins, batting in the top of each inning, took an early lead that they never relinquished, ultimately outscoring the home club 8-1 after the first five innings.

Bell and Buxton were central to Minnesota's success, with Buxton scoring on multiple occasions while Bell drove in key runs. In the first inning, Bell doubled to left field, allowing Buxton to score and putting the Twins ahead 1-0. The gap widened in the third when Bell grounded out to first base, enabling Buxton to tag the plate for the second run.

A's Attempt Comeback

The Athletics managed to scratch together a few runs but could not overcome the deficit. In the third inning, Matt Butler reached on an infield single to shortstop, scoring Brandon Bolte to make it 2-1. The Twins responded immediately in the fifth inning when Chris Kreidler homered to left field, a shot that traveled 399 feet, extending the lead to 3-1.

Minnesota continued to press its advantage in the sixth inning. Keaschall doubled to left field, driving in two runners as Culpepper and Lee scored, while Kreidler advanced to third. Bell then hit a sacrifice fly to left, allowing Kreidler to score and increasing the Twins' lead to 7-1.

The Athletics added two more runs in the ninth inning through doubles by McNeil and Gelof, but it was not enough to change the outcome.

Pitching Performance

Zebby Matthews earned the win for the Twins, pitching seven innings. He allowed six hits and one earned run while walking one batter and striking out seven. Matthews finished with a record of 8-8. Andrew Morris secured the save in his one-third inning of work, retiring the side in order with no hits, no earned runs, no walks, and no strikeouts.

Jeffrey Springs took the loss for the Athletics, pitching four and two-thirds innings. He gave up seven hits and four earned runs while walking two and striking out three. Springs now stands at 3-12 on the season. The game drew a crowd of 8,149 at Sutter Health Park. The Twins improved to 64-68, while the Athletics fell to 51-81.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401816662