Twins salvage one game vs Detroit, Mauer statue unveiled

(Minneapolis, MN/Minnesota News Network) — The Minnesota Twins salvaged their weekend series with the Detroit Tigers during a 5-1 win at Target Field yesterday. Byron Buxton hit a solo home run in the bottom of the first to get things going and the Twins led the rest of the way. Edouard Julien also went deep in the victory, while Simeon Woods Richardson earned his first win of the season after allowing one run on five hits in five innings. Minnesota snapped a three-game losing streak and is now 5-11 on the season. Spencer Torkelson homered in the losing effort for the Tigers, while Casey Mize was charged with the loss after surrendering four runs on seven hits in five-and-two-thirds innings. The Tigers remain in first place in the A-L Central at 9-6. The Twins continue their homestand with a three-game interleague series against the New York Mets starting with game one tonight at 6:40 P-M in downtown Minneapolis. In other team news, infielder Brooks Lee was called up to the Major League roster prior to yesterday’s game and infielder Jose Miranda was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul. Lee was 1-for-3 with an R-B-I in the Minnesota win.

(Minneapolis, MN/Minnesota News Network) — A larger-than-life bronze statue of Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame catcher Joe Mauer was unveiled near Gate 34 outside of Target Field prior to yesterday’s 5-1 win over the Detroit Tigers. Mauer spoke to a large group of Twins fans who were there for the pregame dedication, saying seeing the statue means more to him than anyone “will ever know.” Mauer joked that he was happy he wore sunglasses to the ceremony to block the tears that were welling up in his eyes seeing the statute, which depicted the St. Paul native in his catcher’s gear and in a throwing motion. Mauer’s former teammate Justin Morneau and former Twins manager Tom Kelly also spoke at the ceremony. The Twins are giving away a replica of the Mauer statue at the August 31st game against San Diego.