Max Kepler's new approach, Twins' new clubhouse vibe combine for big impact

Max Kepler had his biggest game of the season on May 23 against the Tigers at Target Field, putting the Twins up 4-0 with a first-inning grand slam and then, after Detroit tied the game at 4-4 late, drawing a leadoff walk in a lefty-on-lefty matchup to lead off the ninth inning and coming around to score the game-winning run. It’s not often that a grand slam takes a backseat to a free pass, but afterward in the Twins clubhouse manager Rocco Baldelli and several of Kepler’s teammates were full of praise, more for the 90-foot walk than the 408-foot homer. It jump-started the Twins’ game-winning rally and was emblematic of the improved approach Kepler has had at the plate this season. Despite being slowed recently by a strained quadriceps, Kepler had another big game Tuesday, in the first half of a doubleheader in Detroit, going 3-for-4 with a walk and three RBIs in an 8-2 victory. It was his third game with three or more hits already this season, after doing so a total of just four times last year. Kepler is showing undeniable progress at the plate, at age 29. MAX KEPLER. GRAND SLAM. HR NO. 1,000 AT…
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