Ty France's two-run homer in the first inning helped the San Diego Padres take an early lead, eventually securing a 6-2 win over the Minnesota Twins in the opener of a three-game series.
The Padres' victory kept them in third place in the National League's wild-card standings, while the Twins fell one game behind Texas in the American League's wild-card race. San Diego's win was their ninth in 12 games and 19th in 26.
Randy Vásquez started the game for the Padres, pitching seven strong innings with two runs and two hits allowed. He struck out three batters and walked none. Bradgley Rodriguez and Mason Miller combined on a two-hitter in relief, with Rodriguez pitching a perfect eighth and Miller striking out the side in the ninth.
The Twins' Connor Prielipp took the loss, giving up six runs and eight hits in six innings. Prielipp struck out seven and walked two. Kody Clemens' two-run triple in the fourth was the only bright spot for the Twins, who had been coming off a three-game sweep of the Atlanta Braves.
Ty France's homer in the first was the key blow, putting the Padres up 2-0. France was aboard on a single along with Manny Machado when he hit the two-run shot to left off Prielipp. The Padres added three more runs in the fifth on four hits, a walk, and a sacrifice fly.
The Twins' bats were quiet for most of the game, with the Padres retiring the final 16 batters. San Diego's win marked their second consecutive victory over the Twins, who have now lost four of their last seven games.
The series continues on Saturday night with Twins right-hander Dean Kremer facing Padres right-hander Casey Mize.
Source: Yahoo Sports