Minnesota TwinsvsSan Diego Padres
MIN 5/SD 7
Things to say
The Padres beat the Twins 7-5 at Petco Park.
01
opener
Padres took it 7-5 at Petco. Twins hung around but San Diego pulled away late. Good ballgame, honestly.
02
key player
The heart of the Padres order carried it — a couple of guys left the yard and that was the difference. When their bats get going it's over.
03
hot take
Minnesota's manager went to the pen way too early. You've got a starter cruising and you yank him — that's how a 5-run night turns into 7 against you.
04
deep cut
Twins actually put five up on the road, which usually wins you the game. They just couldn't slow San Diego's lineup once it turned over.
05
exit
Anyway, getaway day tomorrow — we'll see if the Twins can steal one before they leave town.
The recap
Padres took this one 7-5 at Petco, and it felt like a game they needed to grind out rather than one that came easy. San Diego's bats did the heavy lifting late, pushing the lineup over and getting enough offense to hold off a Twins club that kept clawing back to make it a two-run game.
Minnesota, sitting under .500 at 63-67, hung around but couldn't get the big hit when it mattered, while the Padres keep pushing toward October at 70-60. Getaway-day baseball, and the home side sent everybody home happy.