Kepler Bounces Back to Lead Twins in 6-5 Win Over Phillies

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Max Kepler made up for a costly error with a tying single in the fifth inning and the go-ahead sacrifice fly in the seventh as the Minnesota Twins handed the Philadelphia Phillies their ninth straight loss, 6-5 Wednesday night.

The Phillies took a 5-2 lead in the fifth as Andres Blanco singled to right and the ball skipped under Kepler's glove, allowing two runs to score. Ryan Howard followed with an RBI single.

In the bottom of the inning, Eduardo Escobar lined a two-run triple that Phillies right fielder Peter Bourjos misjudged. Kepler followed with his tying single.

Kepler's fly ball to left off reliever David Hernandez (1-2) in the seventh drove in Trevor Plouffe with the tiebreaking run.

Taylor Rodgers (3-0) worked a scoreless seventh and Fernando Abad got the last four outs for his first save.

Cameron Rupp and Blanco homered for the Phillies, who have lost 13 of 14.