Athletics roll past Twins, secure first sweep in Minnesota since 2014

Lawrence Butler ignited a six-run second inning with a bases-clearing double, Nick Kurtz launched his 26th home run and rookie Jack Perkins combined with two relievers on a five-hitter, allowing the Athletics to complete a rare three-game road sweep of the Minnesota Twins with an 8-3 victory Thursday afternoon.
Tyler Soderstrom contributed a double and three singles on a 4-for-4 day to a 12-hit attack for the A’s, who recorded a 59th win — one more than the Twins — en route to their first sweep at Minnesota since 2014.
After a scoreless first inning, Butler came to the plate after Willie MacIver had been hit by a pitch, Brett Harris had singled and Kurtz had walked to load the bases with two outs.
Butler then lashed his three-run double to left field off Twins starter Jose Urena (0-1). Brent Rooker followed with an RBI double, after which Darell Hernaiz and Carlos Cortes each connected for a run-scoring single to give the A’s a commanding 6-0 lead.
Kurtz’s homer came leading off the sixth after the Twins had closed to within 6-2. Max Schuemann completed the visitors’ scoring with an RBI single in the seventh.
Urena was pulled after five innings, having allowed six runs and seven hits. He walked two and struck out three.
Perkins (3-2) also worked five innings, during which he served up just two runs and three hits. He walked four and struck out two.
Ben Bowden and Osvaldo Bido finished up for the A’s, with the Twins wrapping up the day’s scoring on an RBI double by Royce Lewis in the ninth. Bido, who threw the final three innings, was credited with his first career save.
James Outman had an RBI single and Luke Keaschall scored on a fielder’s choice grounder to account for Minnesota’s other two runs in the fourth.
Kurtz, who had two hits, and MacIver scored twice apiece for the A’s, who won for the fifth time in their last six games.
Lewis and Larnach had doubles for the Twins, who lost for the sixth time in their last seven games.