A three-run seventh inning propelled the visiting Minnesota Twins into the lead and they held on for a 4-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Father’s Day Sunday.
Down 2-0, Josh Bell’s pinch-hit RBI single off Juan Morillo (2-4) with two outs and runners on the corners scored Minnesota’s first run of the game, and the Twins took the lead one batter later.
Alex Jackson’s single through the hole into right field brought home Ryan Kreidler and Bell came all the way around from first to score when Corbin Carroll’s errant throw into third base rolled into the Arizona dugout.
Jackson was 2-for-3 with a hit by pitch and an RBI out of the No. 9 spot for the Twins, who won the series with back-to-back wins on Saturday and Sunday after dropping Friday’s opener 9-5.
Minnesota extended the lead in the ninth with a Trevor Larnach RBI double, his second two-bagger of the game. Anthony Banda pitched a 1-2-3 inning to earn the save.
Cody Laweryson (1-0) earned the first win of his career after working a scoreless sixth inning in relief of starter Mike Paredes. Paredes, making only his third MLB start, took a no-decision after tossing five innings of two-run ball.
Arizona squandered a debut to remember for Jose Cabrera, who threw 5-plus shutout innings in his first career start.
Earning his opportunity after Ryne Nelson (elbow) and Michael Soroka (glute) were added to the injured list this week, Cabrera allowed just three hits with no walks and three strikeouts.
Ketel Marte was the D-backs’ best offensive player, going 2-for-5 with two RBIs. Arizona was wasteful with its chances, managing just one hit in eight at-bats with runners in scoring position.
Marte’s two-run double in the second gave Arizona the first lead of the game. Marte’s hit scored Nolan Arenado and Ildemaro Vargas, who had worked back-to-back walks to lead off the inning.
Larnach made a lunging grab in left field to limit further damage and take away an RBI base hit from Geraldo Perdomo for out number three.
