Giants rally previous Twins 4-3 on Conforto’s key double, go-ahead homer | Sports activities
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Michael Conforto doubled down to set off a slowly developing rally in the sixth inning and set the go for the two-run home run in the seventh inning for the San Francisco Giants, who defeated the Minnesota Twins Tuesday night by 4: 3 defeated for their seventh win in eight games.
Giants starter Alex Cobb (4-1) finished seven innings for the third time in four starts this month, deftly working on a two-run home run by Byron Buxton in the first inning and a solo shot by Michael Taylor in the fifth inning that secured the win gave the Twins a 3-0 lead.
The Giants dropped two runners in the scoring position in the third and fourth innings against Twins starter Sonny Gray, who hit the wall in the sixth inning by leading JD Davis to the start. Conforto hit a double in the left-center gap, Mitch Haniger walked to fill bases and that was it for Gray, who was the major league ERA leader at 1.82. He threw 105 pitches, two fewer than his season high.
Jovani Moran made the first two outs but Patrick Bailey walked in the first run to force. Brock Stewart walked in and did the same to pinch Bryce Johnson.
Then, as Jorge López (1-2) scored the seventh, Thairo Estrada took the lead with a brace and hit Conforto’s tenth home run of the season.
Camilo Doval threw a hit without a hit in the ninth inning, making it his 13th save in 14 attempts after a perfect eighth from Scott Alexander, in textbook succession after another outstanding turn from Cobb. The right-hander, who ranks fourth in ERA baseball with a 2.17, is 4-0 in his last seven starts. The Giants have won six of those games.
The Twins, who have finished first on the AL Central 53 of 55 days this season, lost for the sixth time in eight games.
Twins starting pitcher Kenta Maeda is expected to begin a rehab spell for a right tricep overload after another bullpen session later this week. He was placed on the injured list more than three weeks ago after his fastball speed dropped to a worrying 88mph on his comeback from Tommy John’s elbow surgery that sidelined him for the entire 2022 season.
“As for the number, I’d like to stay consistently above 90, but it’s more about the feel of my pitches, how comfortable I am on the hill,” Maeda said through his interpreter. “I felt kind of uncomfortable before I went to IL. I think once that is corrected everything should be fine.”
Giants: 1B LaMonte Wade was back in the lead after pinching his thumb and leaving Monday night’s game. … DH Joc Pederson missed his tenth straight game with a right-hand bruise. Manager Gabe Kapler said that rehab would soon be considered: “His grip is getting better.”
Gemini: SS Carlos Correa was on the bench with a bruised left heel. LF Trevor Larnach was on the injured list before the game with pneumonia. RF Max Kepler missed his tenth straight game with a left hamstring strain and coach Rocco Baldelli indicated he’s not close to a return just yet: “He’s still felt ongoing pain related to this for longer than we thought .”
Giants: RHP Anthony DeSclafani (3-3, 3.09 ERA) takes the mound Wednesday afternoon. He has not won in his last three starts.
Gemini: RHP Joe Ryan (6-1, 2.25 ERA) pitches in series finale. The San Francisco native has put up at least six innings in all nine starts and conceded five earned runs overall in his last five rounds.
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