NEW YORK — Matt Wallner hit a two-run home run and came within inches of another round trip as the Minnesota Twins finally won a game in New York by defeating the Mets 8-3 on Wednesday.
Byron Buxton also homered and Pablo López (10-7) pitched six innings of three-hit ball as the Twins avoided a three-game sweep.
“We knew the importance of just playing a good game today,” López said. “The first two games didn’t go as planned, but you still arrive at the club with the expectation that everyone will do their job and try to put the W on the board.”
The Twins were outscored 17-2 in their first two games against the Mets and outscored 39-13 while losing their first five games in New York this season. The Yankees beat Minnesota June 4-6.
“We were joking about it,” said Twins left fielder Trevor Larnach, who robbed Francisco Lindor of a leadoff home run. “The statistics that exist between us and New York – whatever.”
Wallner’s homer capped a five-run outburst in the third as Luis Severino (7-4) gave up five straight hits to start the inning. The outfielder nearly went deep again in the fifth, but center fielder Tyrone Taylor went over the fence and got a piece of the ball as Wallner settled for a double.
“We were just building each other up and piling on the successes,” Wallner said. “Anytime you can score five (runs) in an inning, you think you have a good chance of winning.”
The big day capped off an eventful series for Wallner, who made his big league pitching debut by throwing 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief in Monday’s 15-2 loss.
Buxton hit a solo home run in the second. Trevor Larnach, Max Kepler, Royce Lewis, Carlos Santana and Ryan Jeffers each had an RBI for the Twins.
Mark Vientos hit a two-run homer off López in the bottom of the second.
Severino allowed a season-low six runs and six hits in three innings. He lasted at least five innings in each of his first 20 starts.
The Twins hit a pair of sliders as well as a cutter, a sweeper and a changeup during the third inning.
“I think the only thing that worked today was the fastball,” Severino said. “And you can’t navigate a lineup with just a fastball. The change wasn’t there. Slider (and) sweeper (were) not there today.”
SOMEWHERE IN CALIFORNIA
The Mets will not activate right-hander Paul Blackburn, acquired Tuesday from Oakland, until he starts the opener of a three-game series at the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night. Blackburn remained in California because the Athletics were in the middle of a series with the San Francisco Giants when the trade was announced.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Twins: Manager Rocco Baldelli said Kepler (head), who left in the sixth inning, passed initial concussion tests. Kepler was hit in the helmet by a pitch from Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez while trying to tackle Larnach, stealing second in the fourth. Kepler, who batted in the field, was called for batter interference and Larnach was ruled out. … RHP Trevor Richards, acquired Tuesday from the Toronto Blue Jays, was activated and RHP Brock Stewart (shoulder strain) was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Tuesday. … RHP Justin Topa (left patellar tendinitis) struck out two in a perfect inning Tuesday for Triple-A St. Louis.
Mets: LF Brandon Nimmo fouled out with his left foot in the sixth and was replaced in the outfield by Ben Gamel to start the seventh. The x-rays were negative and Nimmo is expected to play on Friday. … RHP Reed Garrett (elbow inflammation) hit 97 mph off the mound while facing hitters and is expected to pitch for Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday. … Alvarez went 0 for 4 with an RBI after sitting out the first two games of the series with a sore left shoulder.
NEXT
Twins: After a bad day, RHP Joe Ryan (6-7, 3.69 ERA) is scheduled to start Friday’s three-game series against the visiting Chicago White Sox, who will counter with RHP Davis Martin (0-0, 3.38).
Mets: Embark on a 10-game, four-city road trip on Friday when Blackburn (4-2, 4.41 ERA) makes his New York debut after beginning his career with eight seasons in Oakland. The Angels have not yet announced a scheduled starter.
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