MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins took advantage of a chaotic fourth inning that included a two-run error and the ejection of Padres starting pitcher Nestor Cortes in a 7-4 win over San Diego on Friday night.<\/p>\n
Cortes was tossed during a mound visit following a walk to Twins left fielder Austin Martin. Home plate umpire Manny Gonzalez walked toward the mound to break up the visit and eventually ejected the Padres starter. <\/p>\n
Cortes (2-3) was replaced by Wandy Peralta, who allowed both inherited runners to score on an error by second baseman Jake Cronenworth.<\/p>\n
Minnesota added a pair of runs in the fifth, including a solo homer by Royce Lewis. San Diego answered with two runs in the seventh on a single by Fernando Tatis Jr. to cut it to a 7-4 game, but former Twin Luis Arraez lined into an inning-ending double play.<\/p>\n
Twins starter Zebby Matthews (4-4) pitched six solid innings for Minnesota. He allowed three runs and didn’t walk a batter to earn the win. Kody Funderburk got his second career save.<\/p>\n
The Padres have lost four of their last five.<\/p>\n
Byron Buxton became the seventh Twins player to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases in a season with his stolen base in the third inning.<\/p>\n
Cronenworth’s error opened the floodgates in the fourth inning. With the bases loaded, Kody Clemens hit a routine grounder to Cronenworth. The ball skipped through Cronenworth’s legs, allowing two runs to score and eliminating a potential double play for the Twins.<\/p>\n
Buxton’s stolen base in the third inning was the 113th of his career \u2014 and the first time in his career he stole third base. <\/p>\n
RHP Nick Pivetta (13-4, 2.82 ERA) takes the mound for the Padres in the second game of the series, while RHP Taj Bradley (6-7, 4.95) will make his second start for the Twins since he was acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay.<\/p>\n
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