Milwaukee, WI – Denard Span went 4-for-5 with three RBI and three runs scored as Minnesota pounded Milwaukee, 11-3, in the opener of a three-game interleague set.
Josh Willingham hit a two-run home run while Joe Mauer went 3-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored. Justin Morneau also drove in three runs for the Twins, who have won three straight.
"It was a very nice win for us tonight," said Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire. "We hit the ball all over the yard and played good defense and we were able to hold down the other side. Things went our way tonight."
Scott Diamond (3-0) gave up three runs on eight hits with a walk and three strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings for the win. He also had his first hit and run scored in the majors.
"I was just trying to focus on getting outs, but it felt awesome to get my first hit," said Diamond. "It's not something I'm going to be known for."
Ryan Braun went 3-for-4 with a solo home run for the Brewers, who have dropped three straight and five of six. Marco Estrada (0-3) was charged with four runs on six hits with a walk and five strikeouts over just five innings.
"He pitched really high in the zone in the first inning and just couldn't get the ball down," said Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke. "He got some outs on high pitches and the second inning he got the ball down better. Did okay through the middle innings, but threw way too many pitches. We need our starters to go longer so we don't have to go to the bullpen every night."
Willingham's two-run shot to left in the first, his eighth of the year, staked Minnesota to a 2-0 lead.
Milwaukee tied the game on a RBI groundout from Braun in the first and a Norichika Aoki RBI double in the third, but the Twins went up for good in the fifth when Mauer smacked a two-run double to center for a 4-2 lead.
The sixth inning saw Span punch a two-run single to left, but Braun led off the bottom of the inning with his 11th of the year to make it a 6-3 game.
The Twins got the run back in the seventh on Morneau's sacrifice fly and put the game away in the eight.
Ben Revere led off the frame with a triple and came home on Span's single. After Brian Dozier singled, Mauer doubled home Span and Morneau later brought home both runners with a single for an 11-3 lead.
Milwaukee loaded the bases with one out in the ninth, but Francisco Liriano got Edwin Maysonet to strike out and Corey Hart to ground out and end the game.
Game Notes
Milwaukee took four of six from Minnesota last season...The Twins tied their season high in runs scored...Minnesota stranded nine while Milwaukee left seven on base.
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