Finale loss still leaves Twins plenty to be proud of

ARLINGTON -- Despite dropping the series finale, 6-5, in walk-off fashion to the Rangers on Sunday, it’s hard not to be impressed by what the Twins accomplished during their road trip down south.

The offense consistently delivered in the clutch, the pitching staff minimized damage and Minnesota secured the series victory against Texas. The Twins also got big contributions from two of their stars -- Carlos Correa and Royce Lewis -- an encouraging sign as the team makes a push for October.

• Games remaining: at CLE (3), vs NYM (3), vs TB (3), at CWS (4), at CIN (3), vs LAA (3), vs OAK (3), at COL (3)

• Standings update: With the Guardians also losing on Sunday, the Twins maintained a five-game lead for the American League Central title. Minnesota (71-66) is positioned as the third-seeded division winner, meaning the club would host a three-game Wild Card Series vs. the final AL Wild Card entrant.

In the series finale, the Twins collected 10-plus hits for the 49th time this season. Correa and Lewis led the way, as the talented duo combined for six hits and five RBIs. They each recorded three hits, marking the first time the two batters each had three-plus hits in the same game.

“Those guys have been swinging the bat really well,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “Not just today, but in recent memory. These guys have been locked in. They have been driving in runs and coming through in big moments a lot of the time. We feel good about the way they are swinging the bat in the middle of the lineup.”

Lewis went 3-for-5 with a three-run homer, four RBIs and two runs scored. It was the infielder’s eighth game with three-plus hits this season, and his third since Aug. 16 against the Tigers. It was also the fourth time this season that Lewis has posted four RBIs in a game.

Lewis’ 10th homer of the season was a game-tying three-run blast in the top of the fifth inning.

“It was a huge swing,” Baldelli said. “One swing of the bat to drive in several runs. Those are the biggest moments in ballgames, and he’s done that a few times.

“He shoots the ball all around the yard, and when he barrels it up, he can leave the yard in any direction. He just kind of bears down in those types of at-bats. When it matters most, he’s been there for us.”

Lewis, who tied the game again with an RBI single in the eighth, was not the only Twin to deliver in the clutch on Sunday, as Minnesota also tied the game in the seventh on Correa's RBI single.

Ultimately, though, the Twins came up just short of a series sweep, with Adolis García belting a walk-off solo home run off reliever Josh Winder in the bottom of the ninth inning.

“Every time we play [the Rangers], it is a battle with their lineup,” said Baldelli. “Obviously, you never want to lose a ballgame in any fashion, but I was happy with how we played hard.”

Now the Twins will turn their attention to the upcoming three-game series in Cleveland, where a pivotal AL Central matchup against the Guardians awaits.