Marwin Gonzalez's Blast Off Of Josh Hader Lifts Twins Over Brewers, 7-5
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Christian Yelich returned to the starting lineup and sparked a late rally, but it wasn't enough for the Milwaukee Brewers as Marwin Gonzalez hit a three-run home run off of Josh Hader to propel the Minnesota Twins to a come-from-behind 7-5 win.
With Milwaukee trailing 4-1 in the seventh inning, Yelich hit an RBI double and scored on Yasmani Grandal's three-run home run, his 20th of the season. That gave the Brewers a 5-4 lead.
But Gonzalez followed in the eighth with his blast, his 14th, to put the Twins ahead to stay.
It was the fifth blown save for Hader, an All-Star for the second consecutive year. The left-hander has allowed four home runs in his last six appearances.
The pivotal eighth inning started with the Twins putting runners on first and second with no outs before Brewers reliever Drew Pomeranz (2-10) recorded the first out. He was replaced Matt Albers, who struck out the only batter he faced, C.J. Cron.
But then Gonzalez hit Hader's first pitch, a 96 miles-per-hour fastball, over the wall.
Yelich had missed five starts due to back stiffness, although he did pinch-hit Sunday, striking out. The reigning NL MVP entered Tuesday leading the NL in batting average and tied with the Angels' Mike Trout for the major-league lead in home runs with 39. He went 3-for-4, grounding out in his first three trips to the plate.
Grandal's homer also scored Ryan Braun, who reached first when Mitch Garver was called for catcher's interference. All four runs in the Brewers rally were given up by reliever Ryne Harper, who didn't record an out in facing four batters in the seventh.
Minnesota starter Martín Pérez, who had given up a season-high seven runs in his previous start, managed to leave nine Brewers stranded on base during six innings and gave up only an unearned run. He had allowed 11 home runs in last five starts, but gave up no homers Tuesday.
Garver hit his 22nd home run, a two-run shot off Milwaukee starter Chase Anderson. Sergio Romo recorded his second save.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Twins: DH Nelson Cruz, on the injured list since Friday, will avoid surgery. "I did everything today. I worked out, weights like normal. Everything is normal. I was swinging with a tee because I'm not in a rush," he said. RHP Sam Dyson (right biceps tendinitis) was activated off the injured list after missing nine games. RHP Cody Stashak was optioned to Triple-A Rochester.
Brewers: "Fortunately, it's only been a few-days type of thing and we haven't had any IL stints because of it," Yelich said of returning from his back stiffness.
UP NEXT
The two-game series ends Wednesday with right-hander Kyle Gibson (11-5, 4.24 ERA) starting for the Twins; the Brewers hadn't announced a starter. It is one of 13 MLB games being broadcast on YouTube during the second half of the season.
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