Suzuki drives in six as Twins outslug Phillies
MINNEAPOLIS -- Kurt Suzuki had four hits and knocked in a career high six runs as the Minnesota Twins won 14-10 over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Target Field.
Suzuki roped a liner into the left-field corner in his final at-bat, but settled for his second two-run double instead of trying for what would have been his first career cycle.
Both pitching staffs were ineffective and each offense took advantage early and often. The Phillies pounded out 14 hits, including four home runs while the Twins also managed 14 hits in winning their second consecutive game.
Philadelphia lost its eighth straight contest despite scoring more than two runs for the first time in a week.
Brian Dozier had three hits for Minnesota while Joe Mauer and Trevor Plouffe chipped in with two apiece. Dozier and Plouffe each drove in a pair of runs.
Cody Asche and Peter Bourjos (home run) each had three hits to lead the Phillies attack. Maikel Franco had two hits, including a three-run blast to get Philadelphia to within 11-10 in the eighth inning, and finished with four RBIs.
Pinch hitter Eduardo Escobar added an RBI single and Suzuki's two-run double provided the final margin in the bottom of the frame.
Philadelphia's Andres Blanco and Ryan Howard were the only two players from both teams to not reach base at least once. Each went 0-for-5.
Twins left-hander Buddy Boshers pitched two innings of scoreless relief of starter Tyler Duffey to earn the victory. Boshers (2-0) gave up three hits and struck out two after Duffey had surrendered six runs in the first three innings.
Brandon Kintzler got the final four outs for his third save.
Phillies starter Aaron Nola (5-7) took the loss after getting knocked around for eight runs (seven earned) through three innings.
Philadelphia's Odubel Herrera dribbled a single through the hole into center field to lead off the game. After a stolen base and a groundout moved him to third, Herrera scored on Dozier's throwing error for an early 1-0 lead.
Minnesota came back against Nola in the second, stringing together a walk, two singles and a two-run triple to take a 3-1 lead. Max Kepler's RBI groundout gave the Twins a three-run lead through one inning.
The Phillies flexed their muscles in the next two innings, getting two-run homers from Bourjos in the second and Caleb Joseph in the third to take back the lead. Cameron Rupp followed Joesph's blast with a solo shot and a two-run advantage.
Duffey got through the inning but was lifted after three, allowing six runs and seven hits, raising his season ERA to 6.18.
Minnesota got the lead back in the bottom half. Dozier, Plouffe and Max Kepler each singled to load the bases with nobody out. Two batters later, Suzuki's line drive bounced off the outstretched glove of Herrera in center for a two-run double.
Byron Buxton lifted a sacrifice fly to left to score Kepler from third and Eduardo Nunez reached on shortstop Freddy Galvis' throwing error, which allowed Suzuki to scamper home for an 8-6 lead just three innings into the game.
It was Nola's third consecutive start of fewer than four innings and the right-hander has allowed 17 earned runs in his last 9 2/3 innings pitched during that stretch.
Suzuki added a two-run shot with one out in the fifth, extending Minnesota's lead to 10-6.
NOTES: Phillies RHP Vince Velasquez will make a rehab start with Double-A Reading on Wednesday. Velasquez has been on the 15-day disabled list since June 8 because of a right biceps strain. The right-hander is 5-2 with a 3.65 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings pitched. ... Twins OF Miguel Sano, who has been on the disabled list since June 1 because of a strained hamstring, is expected to go on a rehab assignment by the end of the week. Sano is hitting .235 with 11 homers and 27 RBIs in 50 games this season. ... Philadelphia and Minnesota will play the second of a three-game series on Wednesday night at Target Field. The Phillies will send left-hander Adam Morgan (1-6, 6.49 ERA) to the mound against Twins right-hander Kyle Gibson (0-5, 6.06).