The plan was to jump on him early in counts so he couldn't get ahead and use his devastating curveball, as even Joe Mauer swung at a first pitch for just the 33rd time this season and came up with a double off the left-field wall to spark the three-run first inning. Miguel Sano followed with an RBI double on a 2-1 fastball before Trevor Plouffe connected on a 1-1 cutter for a two-run blast to left.
"The last time we faced him we had a plan to attack him early," Plouffe said.