If their first game at Sutter Health Park is any indication, the Minnesota Twins are going to enjoy visit this week to the Athletics’ temporary home in West Sacramento, Calif.
After opening a four-game series with a 10-4 win on Monday, the Twins will look to carry the momentum into Tuesday’s matchup.
Byron Buxton tied his career high with five RBIs as Minnesota extended the Athletics’ losing streak to seven games.
Ty France went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs for the Twins, who had 14 hits.
“This is an explosive ballpark,” Minnesota manager Rocco Baldelli said. “There’s going to be runs that are scored here. It’s a very good place to hit. It’s almost Colorado-ish, I would think, in the way that runs come across the board.”
Twins utility man Willi Castro had two hits and two runs and is hitting .333 (15-for-45) with three home runs and five RBIs in his past 14 games.
Minnesota has won 17 of its last 20 games against the Athletics, who have fallen a season-low 15 games under .500.
Lawrence Butler hit a three-run homer and reached base a career-high five times on Monday as the A’s lost for the 18th time in 19 games.
The Athletics will be without Miguel Andujar (right oblique strain) for several weeks after the third baseman/left fielder was placed on the 10-day injured list on Monday. Rookie CJ Alexander started at third on Monday and went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
A’s manager Mark Kotsay is monitoring the status of shortstop Jacob Wilson, who exited the Monday game with a stiff neck. Wilson ranks second in the majors with 81 hits.
Kotsay is urging his team to remain positive during another lengthy losing streak. The A’s endured an 11-game skid last month.
“This game, at this level when you play 162, there is a large part of this game that’s mental,” Kotsay said.
“There is some physical, obviously, but you know the mental side of the game is challenging when you don’t have success. But, I think for us, the mindset has to be a new opportunity, a new day to go out and start something new.”
The Athletics had not announced a starting pitcher for the Tuesday game.
Right-hander Pablo Lopez (4-3, 2.75 ERA) will take the mound for Minnesota after allowing four runs over five innings in a 5-0 road loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday.
Lopez threw 95 pitches and gave up two home runs while battling high temperatures.
“It was extremely taxing,” Lopez said. “I was aware that it was going to be very hot, very sunny, and I tried to prepare for it. … But that’s just the nature of it. Their guy was dealing with the same thing, and he was able to go out of there and shove.”
It was an unusually shaky outing for the 29-year-old Venezuelan, who had not allowed more than two earned runs in eight of his nine previous starts this year.
Tyler Soderstrom is 1-for-8 against Lopez, who is 2-0 with a 3.75 ERA in four career starts vs. the Athletics.
–Field Level Media
