MINNEAPOLIS — Max Kepler hit a tying home run in the sixth inning and a walk-off single in the 10th inning to give the Minnesota Twins a 6-5 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Friday night.
Kepler singled to right off Scott Alexander, driving in Austin Martin from second for Minnesota’s third straight victory. It was the second big hit of the game for Minnesota's right fielder, who tied it 4 in the sixth off Oakland starter Mitch Spence.
The late-game hit was Kepler’s 10th career walk-off plate appearance, tied with Kent Hrbek for third-most in Minnesota history.
Twins closer Jhoan Duran (2-2) pitched two scoreless innings for the victroy. It was his first multi-inning appearance of the season.
Minnesota tied it in the eighth when Carlos Santana drew a bases-loaded walk against Oakland closer Mason Miller. But Minnesota couldn’t push across another run in the inning.
Oakland designated hitter Brent Rooker broke a 4-4 tie with a one-out triple off the right field wall. Rooker’s triple drove in JJ Bleday and came just one inning after Kepler's homer tied the game .
Langeliers and the A’s put up a big first inning against Minnesota starter Simeon Woods Richardson, who walked the first two batters of the game. After Tyler Soderstrom struck out swinging for the second out, Langeliers homered on the first pitch he saw to make it 4-0.
Kepler’s tying homer was his 81st at Target Field, making him the leader at the ballpark.
CITY CONNECTS
The Twins became the final MLB team to wear their City Connect jerseys. The uniforms celebrate the state’s 10,000 lakes, with blue jerseys and pants accompanied by blue and yellow hats.
The Twins will also wear them Saturday against Oakland, as well as a handful of additional games this season.
UP NEXT
RHP Joey Estes (2-2, 4.78 ERA) was set to start Saturday for Oakland against RHP Bailey Ober (5-4, 5.13).
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