Mariners come back after Buxton homer, beat Twins 4-3

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Ty France had three hits and drove in two runs, including a go-ahead single in the ninth inning that lifted the Seattle Mariners over the Minnesota Twins 4-3 on Saturday.

Byron Buxton had given the Twins a 3-2 lead with a two-run homer in eighth against Andrés Muñoz (1-0), who got his first big league decision since 2019 with San Diego.

Julio Rodríguez, a 21-year-old rookie, doubled opening the ninth off Tyler Duffey (0-1) for his first major league hit. He scored on a two-out double by Adam Frazier, who came around on France’s single.

“I think there’s no panic with this team,” France said. “One through nine, we can get it done and trust each and every guy, whoever it is stepping up to the plate. Julio, he hasn’t had a hit yet. It’s in the ninth inning, he just goes out and does it. Anyone in this lineup can get it done.”

Diego Castillo struck out two in a perfect ninth for his first save, and the Mariners opened the season with back-to-back wins for the first time since 2019.

Seattle manager Scott Servais noted the team’s abundance of close games last season in pulling out the first two, each by one run, to start 2022.

“We’re comfortable playing in those games and understanding when your back gets against the wall, you’re down to your last out,” Servais said. “You’re not always going to come through. But I think being in the right mindset, believing that you can and taking the right approach up there, not trying to do too much, just get on base. Pass the baton to the next guy. It happens long enough, good things go your way. Off to a go=od start.”

Duffey allowed two runs and three hits in the first save opportunity for Minnesota since Taylor Rogers was traded to San Diego earlier in the week.

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source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Mariners-come-back-after-Buxton-homer-beat-Twins-17069710.php