ARLINGTON, Texas – Byron Buxton went 0 for 4 in his major league debut, but scored the winning run in the ninth inning to lift the Minnesota Twins to a 4-3 victory over the Texas Rangers on Sunday.
Buxton reached on a fielder’s choice and scored from first base one out later on Eddie Rosario’s double to center.
Casey Fien (2-2) pitched two scoreless innings and Glen Perkins pitched a perfect ninth for his American League-leading 22nd save as the Twins snapped a five-game losing streak.
Eduardo Escobar opened the ninth with a double to left field, and the 21-year-old Buxton – selected No. 2 in the 2012 draft – bunted back to Shawn Tolleson (1-1), who threw out Escobar at third base.
Joey Gallo and Leonys Martin homered for Texas in the second inning.