Brewers pound 17 hits to complete 3-game sweep of Twins with 9-8 win

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Rhys Hoskins powered the Milwaukee Brewers to a 9-8 win over the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, capping a three-game sweep with a big offensive performance. Hoskins homered, doubled, and drove in two runs as Milwaukee notched its fourth straight victory and moved to a season-best eight games over .500 at 43-35.

Brice Turang added a three-run home run, and Caleb Durbin collected three hits to help lead the Brewers’ 16-hit attack.

The Twins, meanwhile, continued their struggles despite a strong day at the plate. Byron Buxton homered twice, giving him six in his last six games, while Brooks Lee and Carlos Correa each had four hits. Still, Minnesota has now dropped five straight series and 13 of its last 16 games.

On a hot and humid afternoon, the teams combined for 35 hits and used 14 pitchers. Milwaukee starter Quinn Priester was lifted after 3 1/3 innings and 76 pitches. Reliever Rob Zastryzny (2-1) earned the win by recording two outs in the fourth.

Twins rookie David Festa (1-2) was tagged for eight runs on 12 hits in just 4 2/3 innings.

The Brewers built a 9-3 lead by the fifth, but the Twins mounted a late rally. Ty France’s two-run homer in the eighth cut the deficit to 9-8. Brewers closer Trevor Megill was called upon with runners on the corners and two outs in the eighth. He struck out Jonah Bride to end the threat, then escaped another jam in the ninth for his 17th save. With one out and runners on first and second, Megill got Matt Wallner to pop out and struck out Trevor Plouffe to seal the win.

Minnesota’s pitching woes continued, as the team entered the day with a 6.46 ERA in June — the worst in Major League Baseball.

Up Next:
The Twins will host the Seattle Mariners for a four-game set starting Monday, with right-hander Bailey Ober (4-4, 4.54 ERA) scheduled to pitch. The Brewers return to Milwaukee to open a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, with Chad Patrick (3-7, 3.50 ERA) taking the mound.