ARLINGTON, TEXAS – Luis Arraez has tripled three times in his brief career, and all three have driven in runs. On Friday, he even managed that trick while leading off an inning.
That's because Arraez's blast over center fielder Adolis Garcia's head came in the 10th inning, with runner-without-portfolio Willians Astudillo placed on second base before the start. Astudillo trotted home, the Rangers eventually forced Arraez and Jorge Polanco home with bases-loaded walks, and the Twins won back-to-back games for only the second time this month, 7-5 in their first game ever at Globe Life Field.
"I'm waiting for that [big] moment," Arraez said, referencing his 2-for-12 drought since returning from a shoulder injury. "And then I prepare my mind. Hey, I need to move the runner and then, that's right, I move the runner."
He did — perhaps the best sign yet that the Twins have changed their extra-inning luck. After losing their first eight 10-inning games of the season, the Twins have now won three in a row.
"It's always fun when we win. That's the most important thing right now," said starter Jose Berrios. "Our pitching is doing a great job."
Well, not always. But no Twin is pitching better than the two-time All-Star.
Berrios gave up two first-inning runs, but then only one hit that left the infield in his next five innings. One infield hit, to open the third inning, wound up costing him another run, but Berrios retired the final seven hitters he faced, striking out seven and walking only one.
"Some nights, you start with being out of control, but it gets going and you say, 'I have to attack more and be more aggressive and hold that advantage that the team gave me in the first inning,' " Berrios said. "So you just go out there, do work, and then we were able to throw into the sixth inning," finishing with 103 pitches.
