Alex Verdugo goes 4 for 4 as Braves beat Twins, 4-3

ATLANTA Alex Verdugo shook his head when reminded the Atlanta Braves are - since he was recalled this week I m not taking credit for it yet Verdugo stated Even so Verdugo s four hits and two runs scored in Saturday night s - win over the Minnesota Twins provided evidence he has given a spark to the offense as the squad s new leadoff hitter and starting left fielder The Twins lost for the second straight time to start this three-game series and have lost of overall to fall to - this season The series concludes with a noon start on Sunday With Verdugo in the lineup the Braves have posted back-to-back wins for the first time this season Verdugo s four hits included two doubles and a sixth-inning single that drove in the go-ahead run It feels good Verdugo reported Obviously being at the top of the lineup kind of instantly thrown into it get on base have good at-bats things like that And I think for me it feels good to get a few hits Verdugo s single off Brock Stewart activated from a rehab assignment before the event drove home Nick Allen with the go-ahead run Verdugo was recalled on Thursday to help boost a slumping offense after signing a million one-year contract on March Twins right-hander Justin Topa made his first big league start after relief appearances with Milwaukee Seattle and Minnesota He gave up a single to Verdugo to start the encounter one of three hits he allowed and Verdugo came around to total on a double by Matt Olson Topa pitched one inning before Simeon Woods Richardson - entered the competition and pitched the next innings allowing three runs on seven hits that included a solo home run by Michael Harris II that tied the encounter - in the sixth inning Bryon Buxton was for with a triple and RBI single and rookie Luke Keaschall singled and scored in his second major league meeting Carlos Correa homered off of Atlanta starter Chris Sale to tie the championship - in the fourth inning In his first two games Verdugo has started in left field with Michael Harris II in center and Jarred Kelenic in right field When urged after Saturday night s challenge what he expected when Verdugo was added to the roster manager Brian Snitker commented Just professional at-bats good at-bats which he s done already Added Snitker It s kind of why we re excited about getting him here The left-handed hitting Verdugo has a career batting average of He could retain a starting job even after NL MVP Ronald Acu a Jr returns from surgery to repair his torn left ACL perhaps in May The -year-old Verdugo hit with homers and RBIs for the New York Yankees in following four seasons with Boston He had an million base salary last season and earned in performance bonuses for plate appearances Snitker hopes Verdugo s disciplined at-bats have an impact on others in the lineup He gives me a lot of information from his first at-bat Harris announced It helps me out as another lefty Related Articles Completely Twins put together complete battle to beat Tigers end losing skid Bullpen gives up six runs as Twins fall to Tigers Twins Document Vazquez takes responsibility for manager s ejection Monday Twins center fielder Byron Buxton off and running Twins send veterans on a rare road trip just for two innings