Twins 3, Rangers 2
MINNEAPOLIS -- Eduardo Escobar's RBI double with two outs in the bottom of the ninth lifted the Minnesota Twins to a 3-2 win over the Texas Rangers at Target Field on Tuesday.
Escobar followed a two-out walk by catcher Kurt Suzuki by ripping a full-count offering from Rangers right-hander Spencer Patton down the right-field line. The ball rattled off the wall down the line, allowing Suzuki, who was off with the pitch, to score from first base.
Minnesota, which trailed much of the game, tied the score with a two-run rally in the eighth inning highlighted by back-to-back RBI doubles by first baseman Joe Mauer and designated hitter Miguel Sano.
Twins closer Glen Perkins earned the win, pitching a scoreless top of the inning.
Trailing 2-0 in the eighth inning, the Twins rallied to post a pair of runs and tie the game. A leadoff walk by shortstop Eduardo Escobar got the rally started and he advanced to second on a passed ball. Mauer came through with a two-out double to the gap in left-center field ahead of Sano, who crushed an offspeed offering from Texas left-hander Jake Diekmann high off the wall in right field for an RBI double.
Mauer's double was the 330th of his career, moving him ahead of Tony Oliva for sole possession of second place on the team's all-time 99list.
Neither starter figured into the final decision despite solid outings for each.
Texas right-hander Yovani Gallardo left in line for his ninth win, allowing just two hits (both singles) and three walks in 5 2/3 innings of work. He struck out one but was lifted early after throwing 99 pitches.
Minnesota's Kyle Gibson was in trouble often, but made just one mistake; a two-run homer to Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus in the second inning. They were the only runs allowed by Gibson in six innings, surrendering seven hits and a pair of walks but fanning seven.
Texas grabbed the early lead when shortstop Elvis Andrus hammered an 0-1 offspeed pitch from Gibson barely over the wall in left field for two-run homer in the second inning. For Andrus, it was his fifth homer of the season and came after a one-out single by left fielder Josh Hamilton.
The Rangers put together other threats against Gibson early, getting two runners on in both the first and third innings. But a double play grounder by third baseman Adrian Beltre ended the chance in the first and Gibson wiggled out of trouble in the third by getting Beltre and first baseman Mitch Moreland to strike out swinging.
Minnesota could get nothing going against Gallardo, getting lone singles from first baseman Joe Mauer in the first and another by left fielder Eddie Rosario in the fifth. Rosario was picked off first base shortly thereafter.
NOTES: The Rangers traded INF Tyler Pastornicky to the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday in exchange for cash considerations. Pastornicky will report to the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate in Lehigh Valley. ... Rangers RHP Luke Jackson was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock. Jackson was called up on Thursday but did not make an appearance for the Rangers. ... Rangers RHP Keone Kela was recalled from Round Rock. Kela has a 3.30 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 43 2/3 innings of work entering play on Tuesday. ... Rangers LHP Cole Hamels' scheduled start on Thursday was pushed back because of a groin injury. Hamels is not expected to land on the disabled list, but could miss one start. ... Twins CF Byron Buxton was activated off the 15-day disabled list on Monday and optioned to Triple-A Rochester. Buxton hit .189 in 11 games with the Twins this season before going down with a thumb injury on June 25. ... The Rangers and Twins will play the second game of a three-game series at Target Field on Wednesday. Texas RHP Nick Martinez (7-6, 3.91 ERA) will oppose Minnesota RHP Mike Pelfrey (5-7, 4.06 ERA).