Manny Margot sparked a strong start for Minnesota with a three-run double in the opening inning against Seattle’s top pitcher Logan Gilbert.
The Twins went on to secure an 11-1 victory over the Mariners, clinching their fifth straight series win on Thursday. Pablo López, with a season-high 10 strikeouts, claimed his third consecutive victory by pitching into the seventh inning.
Ryan Jeffers and Max Kepler each hit homers and contributed two RBIs, while Jose Miranda scored three runs and Margot achieved a career-best five RBIs. The Twins, now at 22-15, have won 15 of their last 17 games.
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli praised the impressive performance of the offense, emphasizing the team’s solid execution throughout the game. Despite high expectations for a duel between top AL pitchers, Gilbert struggled early on, allowing multiple hits and runs.
The Twins capitalized on favorable plays, including Miranda’s accidental single, and displayed power hitting, exemplified by Jeffers’ 104 mph homer.
Gilbert’s outing was subpar, failing to pitch beyond the fifth inning for the first time this season. His ERA, which led the AL at 1.69 before the game, soared to 2.94 after conceding eight runs on nine hits and two walks.
In contrast, López delivered a strong performance, surrendering only one run on four hits over 6 1/3 innings, with notable defensive support from shortstop Willi Castro.
