(Minneapolis, MN) — Max Kepler’s two-run double broke a scoreless tie and ignited a five-run seventh inning as the Twins topped the Brewers 5-3 in Minnesota. Eddie Rosario capped the big inning with a two-run homer for the Twins, who have won 12 of their last 14 games. Matt Magill picked up his first win and Ryne Harper his first career save. But the star of the game was Devin Smeltzer who made his major league debut.
Twins pitcher Devin Smeltzer talks to Fox Sports North after his major league debut on Tuesday night.
He pitched six scoreless innings giving up just three hits and striking out seven. He was called up to replace Michael Pineda who was placed on the 10-day injured list. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said after the game that Smeltzer will make the trip to with the team to Tampa to start a 10 game road trip and will most likely get another start with the big club. Diagnosed with a grapefruit-sized cancerous tumor against his bladder when he was just 9 years old, Smeltzer wasn’t deterred in his goal to reach the majors. The lanky, 23-year-old lefty got a no-decision. ”I know that tomorrow, between the lines, may not happen. It’s been told to me before, and I don’t take a day for granted out there,” he said later. Keston Hiura hit a two-run homer in the eighth and Yasmani Grandal a solo shot in the ninth for Milwaukee, which had won its previous two. Alex Claudio took the loss.