CHICAGO — Brooks Lee’s 11 hits are the second-most in Twins history through a player’s first six games. His eight RBIs are second to none.
Lee’s RBI single, an RBI groundout by Manny Margot and a 1-2-3 inning from Kody Funderburk in extras helped the Minnesota Twins move within five games of Cleveland, as they topped the Chicago White Sox 8-6 in 11 innings on Monday at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Matt Wallner belted a two-run, game-tying homer in the seventh inning and doubled. Carlos Correa and Trevor Larnach each homered for the Twins, who earned their 24th come-from-behind victory of the season and improved to 52-39.
Matt Wallner ties the game with one swing of the bat 💣#MNTwins | #MLB pic.twitter.com/inQPCAAFHk
— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) July 9, 2024
Larnach’s first-inning homer extended a streak of consecutive games with a round-tripper to 26 for the Twins, who finished with 15 hits. The Twins have belted 42 homers during the streak.
“Our players aren’t really letting us feel like (we’re out of it) because they’re competing really well,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. “Most innings, we go out there, we’re very competitive in our at-bats. It took some really large-scale plays and moments to get back in the game. It took a lot.”
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The Twins haven’t been this close to the lead in the American League Central since June 18, when they trailed the Guardians by 4 1/2 games.
Lee is playing his part, as the Twins have won four of his six games played since debuting last Wednesday. He finished 2-for-5 Monday and is hitting .458/.462/.625 in 26 plate appearances.
“I mean, I would hope I would play well,” Lee said. “I never think I’m not going to play good. But yeah, it’s just been such a special week for me. My family, too. I mean it still feels like a blur.”
BROOKS LEEEEEE ‼#MNTwins take a 7-6 lead in the 11th pic.twitter.com/8qm39ZfhB8
— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) July 9, 2024
Rookies in the booth
Hours after calling her own mother, Marney Gellner implored Larnach to do the same after his homer: “Better call your Mama right now, sir.” The play-by-play announcer for the Minnesota Lynx, Gellner made club history Monday night in becoming the first woman to broadcast a Twins game.
A longtime former Twins sideline reporter, Gellner — who in 2018 called a Minnesota Timberwolves game, becoming only the second woman to do so in NBA history — also called several spring training games in 2019 and uttered the phrase “Better call Mama” any time a Twins player homered.
She was asked a month ago to fill in for Cory Provus, who is on vacation during the Chicago series.
“I’m super proud of it,” Gellner said. “And, I’m just ready to just go ahead and get on with the game. … I appreciate this. I think it’s a wonderful opportunity. I’m super, super grateful. Thrilled. I don’t know all the adjectives I can use. But I’m also like, let’s get on with it. I’ll accept the honor and feel, ‘Yeah, it is a big deal.’ It is a big deal to me personally and I’m ready to move on.”
We’re so proud to have @MarneyGellner as our play-by-play announcer for this series in Chicago.
Marney is the first women to call play-by-play in Twins History! pic.twitter.com/0FcLQ7t6ZW
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) July 9, 2024
Over on the radio side, Triple-A St. Paul broadcaster Sean Aronson is filling in for Kris Atteberry for the entire road trip. Aronson has been the Saints broadcaster for the past 18 seasons.
Potpourri
Chris Paddack’s fastball averaged 93.8 mph, a slight increase as he returned following 15 days on the injured list with right shoulder fatigue. Paddack allowed two earned runs and three hits in five innings. “Big picture, I liked what I saw,” Baldelli said. … Funderburk’s save was the first of his career. … Baldelli praised Caleb Thielbar for his perfect ninth inning, his sixth straight scoreless outing. … Baldelli suggested Byron Buxton, who went 3-for-5 with two runs scored, Lee and Ryan Jeffers all may be given Tuesday’s game off. Jeffers’ foot appeared to be bothering him as he limped off the field in the seventh inning. Lee has played in seven straight games, including a July 2 contest at St. Paul. … Brock Stewart will pitch for St. Paul at Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday as he begins a rehab assignment. Stewart (right shoulder tendinitis) hasn’t appeared in a game since May 1. … Wallner’s seventh-inning homer exited his bat at 116.7 mph. “I feel good again,” Wallner said. “I have for the past six weeks, so just kind of building up on that and the confidence. It took me a while, but I feel like I’m finally in a good spot again.”
GO DEEPER
Sunday celebration provided Twins veteran Christian Vázquez with well-deserved relief
(Photo of Brooks Lee: Jamie Sabau / Getty Images)
