Buxton's Bonus-Triggering 34th HR Lifts Twins

Byron Buxton homered twice — a leadoff shot to start the game and a 437-foot three-run blast in the eighth — accounting for all four runs as the Minnesota Twins beat the Texas Rangers 4-0 to take the series. The three-run homer was Buxton’s 34th of the season, came in his 533rd plate appearance and triggered a $500,000 contractual bonus. Bailey Ober threw six scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out five, and relievers including Kody Funderburk and Cole Sands preserved the shutout. Buxton’s campaign (about 4.8 fWAR, .265/.328/.551) is a career best in several categories and has him in down‑ballot MVP and Silver Slugger conversation. He can earn additional bonuses if he finishes among the AL top 10 in MVP voting, and the win was Minnesota’s first series victory in September.