Byron Buxton hit two homers and drove in three runs, Joe Ryan pitched seven scoreless innings and the Minnesota Twins halted a seven-game losing streak with a 10-0 victory over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night.
Jose Miranda added a two-run homer as the Twins scored eight runs off Nationals left-hander Patrick Corbin (1-5). Willi Castro added a two-run shot off reliever Jacob Barnes as Minnesota responded following a players-only meeting after Monday night’s 12-3 loss in the series opener.
Overall, the Twins scored more runs in the game than in the first six games of their skid combined.
“That was an enjoyable day at the ballpark, to say the least,” said Minnesota manager Rocco Baldelli, who earned his 400th career victory. “A lot of guys wanted that, needed that, whatever you want to say. But it’s good to see so many guys contributing.”
Corbin allowed nine hits and three walks, and all of his season-worst eight runs allowed were earned.
“Kinda one of those days where it seemed like anything I threw got hit,” Corbin said.
Jacob Young had two of Washington’s three hits as the Nationals were shut out for the third time in seven games. The loss came a day after snapping their own five-game losing streak.
Buxton has had hits in all three of his starts in his return after missing 14 games due to right knee inflammation.
He opened Tuesday’s scoring in the second when he took Corbin’s 0-1 offering the opposite way for a solo shot. In the fifth, he drove a two-run homer, his third of the season, slightly closer to dead center to stretch Minnesota’s advantage to 6-0.
“I’ve been overthinking a little bit,” Buxton said. “Today, just kind of went up there and didn’t try to do too much.”
That was more than enough support for Ryan (3-3), who allowed three hits and two walks in his first scoreless outing since June of last season.
Both free passes came in Ryan’s final inning, marking just the second time a Nationals runner reached scoring position. He got out of the inning by fanning Joey Gallo for his sixth strikeout.
“If I go out for the inning, I expect to finish it,” Ryan said.
TRAINERS ROOM
Twins: 3B/SS Royce Lewis (right quad strain) ran the bases on Monday for the first time since going on the 10-day injured list in late March. ... RHP Josh Winder (scapular stress fracture) was slated continue his rehab assignment by throwing two-plus innings for Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday and Friday. He’s allowed eight runs — seven earned — in his first five rehab outings.
Nationals: OF Lane Thomas (left knee sprain) went 0 for 3 and stole a base in his first rehab game Tuesday for Double-A Harrisburg. He will play again on Wednesday.
GAME PREVIEW
Minnesota Twins (25-23, third in the AL Central) vs. Washington Nationals (21-26, third in the NL East)
Washington; Wednesday, 12:05 p.m. Pregame begins at 11:30 on WCCO Radio and the Audacy App (In-Market Restrictions).
PITCHING PROBABLES: Twins: Simeon Woods Richardson (1-0, 2.97 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 25 strikeouts); Nationals: Jake Irvin (2-4, 3.91 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 38 strikeouts)
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Twins -135, Nationals +114; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
BOTTOM LINE: Both the Washington Nationals and the Minnesota Twins are looking for a series win with a victory on Wednesday.
Washington has an 8-11 record at home and a 21-26 record overall. The Nationals have a 17-8 record in games when they record at least eight hits.
Minnesota has gone 14-12 in road games and 25-23 overall. The Twins have the seventh-ranked team slugging percentage in the AL at .396.
Wednesday’s game is the third time these teams match up this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: C.J. Abrams has nine doubles, four triples and seven home runs while hitting .263 for the Nationals. Eddie Rosario is 8-for-31 with two doubles and three home runs over the last 10 games.
Ryan Jeffers has 11 doubles, 10 home runs and 30 RBI for the Twins. Carlos Santana is 10-for-38 with two doubles, two home runs and seven RBI over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Nationals: 2-8, .201 batting average, 4.70 ERA, outscored by 16 runs
Twins: 2-8, .207 batting average, 5.60 ERA, outscored by 21 runs
INJURIES: Nationals: Lane Thomas: 10-Day IL (knee), Josiah Gray: 15-Day IL (elbow), Cade Cavalli: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jose Ferrer: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Mason Thompson: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Twins: Brock Stewart: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Daniel Duarte: 60-Day IL (tricep), Zack Weiss: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Royce Lewis: 10-Day IL (quadricep), Justin Topa: 15-Day IL (knee), Anthony DeSclafani: 60-Day IL (elbow), Josh Winder: 60-Day IL (shoulder)
The Associated Press contributed to this story.