SEATTLE MARINERS

Buxton homers vs Seattle again, Twins top Mariners 3-2

Jun 13, 2022, 11:10 PM

Seattle Mariners third baseman Eugenio Suarez throws out Minnesota Twins' Gilberto Celestino at first during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Monday, June 13, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Seattle Mariners' J.P. Crawford drops his helmet after striking out to end the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins during a baseball game, Monday, June 13, 2022, in Seattle. Umpire DJ Reyburn, left, makes the call and Twins catcher Gary Sanchez (24) runs to the dugout. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Seattle Mariners' Taylor Trammell hits a solo home run on a pitch from Minnesota Twins' Jharel Cotton during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Monday, June 13, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Minnesota Twins catcher Gary Sanchez and closing pitcher Emilio Pagan shake hands after their 3-2 win over the Seattle Mariners in a baseball game, Monday, June 13, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Minnesota Twins outfielders, Trevor Larnach (13), Gilberto Celestino (67) and Max Kepler (26) celebrate their 3-2 win over the Seattle Mariners in a baseball game, Monday, June 13, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Minnesota Twins' Gary Sanchez (24) celebrates with Byron Buxton during a baseball game, Monday, June 13, 2022, in Seattle. Buxton hit a two-run home run and scored in the game. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Seattle Mariners' Eugenio Suarez strikes out against the Minnesota Twins during the eighth inning a baseball game, Monday, June 13, 2022, in Seattle. The Twins won 3-2. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Minnesota Twins closing pitcher Emilio Pagan works against the Seattle Mariners during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Monday, June 13, 2022, in Seattle. The Twins won 3-2. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Chris Archer works against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, June 13, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Minnesota Twins'. Byron Buxton rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run off a pitch from Seattle Mariners starter Chris Flexen during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, June 13, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Minnesota Twins' Byron Buxton hits a two-run home run off a pitch from Seattle Mariners starter Chris Flexen during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, June 13, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
AP staff

SEATTLE (AP) — Byron Buxton belted his 18th home run, Chris Archer delivered another steady pitching performance and the Minnesota Twins defeated the Seattle Mariners 3-2 on Monday night.

Twins 3, Mariners 2: Box score

Buxton, fresh off an American League player of the week award, hit a two-run shot to right-center field off Chris Flexen in the first inning. It was his fourth home run in five games against Seattle this season. In his last eight games versus the Mariners, Buxton is 15 for 32 with six homers.

Bux > Flex

💪💪💪 pic.twitter.com/yPWYp58Zvh

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) June 14, 2022

Buxton added a soft single to left in the seventh and scored on Max Kepler’s single to make it 3-1.

Taylor Trammell homered for the Mariners, and Ty France knocked in a run with an infield single.

.@Taytram24 crushed this one to dead center 💣 pic.twitter.com/98rJlP6Ikn

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) June 14, 2022

Making his 12th start of the year, Archer went four innings and allowed only an unearned run. He gave up four hits, struck out three and was lifted after 67 pitches.

In his last three starts, the right-hander has permitted just two runs over 14 innings.

Archer dealt with a string of injuries from 2019-21, so Minnesota has limited his workload. He hasn’t gone more than five innings in a game this season, and his highest pitch count was 79 on April 30.

Caleb Thielbar (2-0), the first of six Twins relievers, struck out two in a hitless inning. Emilio Pagán worked the ninth, fanning Jesse Winker with a runner on second for his ninth save.

After the early blow by Buxton, Flexen (2-8) didn’t allow a run over the next four innings and got himself out of jams in the second and fifth. The right-hander pitched five innings, yielding two runs and seven hits while striking out five.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Buxton batted .333 with five homers, seven RBIs and eight runs scored last week. He homered in three straight games from Wednesday to Friday. It’s the second time Buxton has been selected AL player of the week. The other time was in August 2017.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Twins: Transferred RHP Cody Stashak to the 60-day injured list to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. Stashak is scheduled to undergo shoulder surgery this week. … INF Jorge Polanco didn’t start due to back soreness. He will get a day or two off and then be evaluated, according to manager Rocco Baldelli.

Mariners: Rookie OF Julio Rodriguez received a scheduled rest. He pinch-hit for Trammell in the ninth and struck out.

ROSTER MOVES

Minnesota selected the contract of INF Elliot Soto from Triple-A St. Paul and optioned RHP Cole Sands to its top farm club. Soto was hitting .213 with two homers and 19 RBIs in 41 games for St. Paul. Sands started Sunday for the Twins, throwing 4 2/3 innings and allowing five runs in the loss to Tampa Bay.

UP NEXT

Twins: Had not announced a starting pitcher for Tuesday.

Mariners: RHP Logan Gilbert (6-2, 2.41 ERA) makes his 13th start of the season. Last time out at Houston, he allowed three runs and seven hits in six innings to pick up the win.

Two months into M’s season, it’s clear how young they still are