MINNEAPOLIS — As manager Clint Hurdle sees it, Gregory Polanco’s recent improvement began July 6 during the home series against the San Diego Padres.
“You watch the way the ball’s coming off his bat now, from left field to right field,” Hurdle said. “Every part of his game, he’s done something that makes you go, ‘wow.’ ”
In 17 games since that series began and before the game Tuesday night, Polanco has hit .294 with a .377 on-base percentage, nine extra-base hits, nine walks and 12 strikeouts in 77 plate appearances. He made more hard contact and took better at-bats in that stretch.