Also to those in the dugout.
“It makes a statement in our clubhouse,” said Baldelli, whose 523rd victory with the Twins moved him past Sam Mele as the third-winningest manager in the team’s history, behind only Tom Kelly (1,140) and Ron Gardenhire (1,068). “Seeing the entire team step up, play aggressively, fight really good, pull away — there were really positive things going on. That’s going to bring a smile to my face.”
Back-to-back doubles by pinch hitter Trevor Larnach and Lee started the inning off right for the Twins, and one-out walks to Edouard Julien and Byron Buxton loaded the bases. Martin followed with a double into the left-field corner, scoring all three.
“I fell behind early and the only thing I was trying to do was just put the ball in play. That was literally all I was focused on,” Martin said after his first career four-RBI day.
Said Baldelli: “This is what he’s been doing — seizing opportunities. He’s seizing one. The at-bats have been excellent. Just rifling balls all over the place. I mean, he breaks the game open right there.”
Camilo Doval replaced Weaver and Luke Keaschall greeted him by grounding a ball up the middle through a drawn-in infield, giving the Twins their largest lead in a week.