Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING NEWS: 8-25-23.

Aug 25

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Twins Rally Late Past Rangers

Huge character win for the Twins last night, 7-5 at home against the Rangers to kick off a seven-game series that ends with three against Cleveland.

The Twins trailed 4-1 in the third, 5-2 in the fifth and 5-4 in the eighth inning when Carlos Correa knocked home the tying run and Ryan Jeffers’ pinch-hit 10th home run of the year (on the only pitch he saw) put the Twins on top.

Royce Lewis had three hits, a walk and reached base each time he batted. Michael A. Taylor, all 215 pounds of him, ripped two home runs. He’s got 19 homers this year. Per The Athletic’s Do-Hyoung Park, Taylor joins Torii Hunter, Kirby Puckett and Jimmie Hall as the only Twins’ centerfielders with 19 home runs in a season. Will we see Buxton in the outfield come September? I’m dubious.

Three big scoreless innings in relief for Josh Winder, who got the win.

Same teams tonight in game two of a four-game series.

The Indians got beat and now limp six games back of the Twins, who have 34 games left.

Vikings End Pre-Season Against Cardinals; Will Hockenson Sideshow End?

The T.J. Hockenson situation is overshadowing the Vikings’ pre-season. Well it wouldn’t take much to overshadow this blah pre-season, but the Hockenson situation isn’t good. He hasn’t practiced with the team in three weeks, missing time with an ear infection and now lower body stiffness. And he says it has nothing to do with the fact he wants a “historic” contract extension for tight ends, but do you believe that?

Hockenson had a great first year with the Vikings. He’s everything Kyle Rudolph gave the team and more. But does he deserve the most money of any tight end in the league? I’d like to see it for another year. Hockenson of course wants to get paid, because if the Vikings send Kirk Cousins packing after this season…

The Vikings host Arizona in their last pre-season game Saturday at noon. Plenty of good seats available!

Lynx Back to .500 Mark

The Lynx has won back-to-back games for the first time in a month after a 90-81 win in Dallas last night. Minnesota is now at the .500 mark (17-17) and closing in on the potential of a top four seed which would mean hosting a first-round, best-of-three playoff series.

Minnesota appeared to have things in control, leading by 12 heading to the fourth. But the Wings scored the first seven points of the fourth, and the Lynx led by just three with under a minute left.

Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride combined for 45 points.

The Lynx hosts the second-best team in the WNBA, the New York Liberty, on Saturday.

Loons Begin Playoff Push

The Loons host Seattle on Sunday at 3:30 in a game with playoff implications. Less than two months remain in the MLS regular season, and after Sunday the Loons have only 10 games left. They’re currently in ninth with 31 points - the eighth and ninth place teams play in a one-game play-in, while seventh and up are guaranteed a best-of-three series. Seattle is only five points up in fourth place, and has played two more games than Minnesota.

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