MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jorge Polanco delivered another key hit and the Minnesota bullpen combined for 6 2/3 innings of shutout work as the Twins sent the Oakland Athletics to their ninth straight loss, 4-3 Sunday.
The Twins have swept three of their last five series and won 14 of 17 since beginning the season 4-8.
Minnesota star outfielder Byron Buxton didn’t play for the AL Central leaders a day after an early exit. He is day-to-day with a very low-level right hip strain.
The Twins have continued to win despite shortstop Carlos Correa being out with an injured finger.
“It’s been different guys stepping up and that’s a little bit of our identity right now,” said Minnesota bench coach Jayce Tingler, who is acting manager while Rocco Baldelli is out with COVID-19.
“We know nobody’s going to feel sorry for you. Other teams have guys that are out, whether it’s pitching or in the lineup and so we kind of understand task at hand and everybody’s got a role to do and they’re doing a great job of doing their jobs right now,” he said.
Polanco, who homered in a 1-0 win Saturday night, hit a two-run single in the third inning for a 4-3 lead.
The Twins allowed only four runs over three games against the Athletics. The Minnesota bullpen didn’t permit any runs in 11 2/3 innings during the series, much of it coming after starter Chris Paddack left in the third inning with right elbow inflammation.
From there, Cody Stashak (3-0), Caleb Thielbar, Joe Smith, Tyler Duffey and Emilio Pagán combined for two-hit relief.
The A’s put runners on second and third with two outs in the ninth, but Pagán retired Christian Pache on a popup for his fourth save.
“They came in and shut us down,” Oakland manager Mark Kotsay said.
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