MINNEAPOLIS -- With the Twins looking for a spark, down by a run with two runners on base in the seventh, Joe Mauer was brought in off the bench to pinch-hit against reliever Louis Coleman.
Mauer worked the count full, before ripping a fastball for a three-run homer to give the Twins a 5-3 lead they wouldn't relinquish in a 5-4 win on Friday night at Target Field. It was Mauer's second career pinch-hit homer, and he came out to a curtain call from Twins fans after the go-ahead blast.
Mauer's homer was his fourth of the season, but he added to his impressive numbers with runners on base.