Rosario, Odorizzi lead Twins to sweep of Cardinals

[May 09, 2018]  Eddie Rosario had two hits and scored three runs to back five strong innings on the mound by Jake Odorizzi as the Minnesota Twins rolled to a 7-1 victory over host St. Louis on Tuesday afternoon at Busch Stadium, sweeping the two-game interleague series from the Cardinals.

The win was the fifth straight for the Twins, who outscored St. Louis 13-1 in the series and pounded out 21 hits over the two games while limiting the Cardinals to just six.

St. Louis, which has lost two straight after winning five in a row, hurt its cause with three errors.

Odorizzi (3-2) garnered the victory for Minnesota, surrendering a run on two hits and two walks while striking out three. Odorizzi left with a 5-1 lead after throwing 93 pitches.

Ryan Pressly worked two innings, and Taylor Rogers and Phil Hughes hurled one each to secure the win for Odorizzi. Each of the three relievers faced the minimum of batters, as the Cardinals left just two runners on base in the game.

Carlos Martinez (3-2) took the loss for the Cardinals, allowing four runs (two earned) and four hits in five innings of work. Martinez struck out two and walked three.

The Cardinals stuck first, scoring in the opening inning on Jose Martinez's solo home run over the center field fence.

Minnesota responded with run in the second as Ehire Adrianza's sacrifice fly drove home Rosario. The Twins took the lead in the fourth when Mitch Garver singled in Rosario and played add-on in the fifth as Robbie Grossman's double plated Brian Dozier and Rosario.

 Cardinals starting pitcher Carlos Martinez (18) pitches during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Logan Morrison's single in the sixth pushed Adrianza to the plate and made the score 5-1. Eduardo Escobar then ripped a two-run home run in the seventh to push the Twins' advantage to 7-1.

The Twins and Cardinals each have the day off on Wednesday before heading to the West Coast to begin four-game series in Los Angeles and San Diego, respectively.

Minnesota will play the Angels, with right-hander Jose Berrios (3-3, 3.98 ERA) getting the ball Thursday for the Twins while Los Angeles' starting pitcher is still to be determined.

Right-hander Miles Mikolas (4-0, 2.70 ERA) gets the start for the Cardinals on Thursday and will be opposed by Padres right-hander Jordan Lyles (0-0, 3.66).

--Field Level Media

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