MINNEAPOLIS -- Joe Mauer became all too familiar with the basepaths in Sunday's 8-6 loss at Target Field.
During the 15-inning marathon, the Twins' first baseman reached base successfully on seven of his eight trips to the plate, including three walks and a pair of RBIs. Mauer joined Rod Carew -- who accomplished the feat in 1972 -- as the only two players in franchise history to reach base at least seven times in a single game.
"That was a tough one to lose, but the boys are battling which is good," Mauer said. "I had some good at-bats. Just got off the field, it was a long day, wish it would have turned out different."
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Mauer finished a triple shy of the cycle, notching his first multiple extra-base-hit game of the season. He started the day off with a single to left off Tampa Bay righty Alex Cobb, and has now hit safely in 13 of his past 14 games.
In the third, Mauer smoked a full-count fastball for a double off the right-field wall, bringing in the team's first run. The ball came off his bat at 106.3 mph, according to Statcast™. Half of his doubles on the year (10) have come in the last eight games.
Mauer then one-upped himself with his second-hardest-hit ball of the year on a game-tying solo home run in the seventh. Per Statcast™, the ball traveled an estimated 381 ft from the plate at 106.5 mph. His highest recorded exit velocity of the year came on a single, hit 107 mph on May 18.
"[The home-run pitch] was an outside cutter," Mauer said. "The first couple were in, and I think he tried to go away. I was able to put a good swing on it."
Mauer added a pair of walks and another single before his day was done. But it signified the strides he has taken at the plate, particularly in May.
Entering Sunday, Mauer posted a slash line of .313/.410/.478 in 19 games this month. In comparison, Mauer logged a .225/.271./.275 across 21 outings in April. He has increased his batting average on the year (.283) by 58 points since the first month.
"He wasn't retired until the last one, that says a lot about his day," Minnesota manager Paul Molitor said. "A lot of things happened. I am proud of the way we competed for six hours. It was a good battle."
Worth noting
• Following Sunday's game, the Twins placed Justin Haley (right shoulder stiffness) on the disabled list. Haley entered in the 12th inning and threw 1 2/3 innings of relief in Sunday's loss, allowing one earned run on four hits and a walk. He also struck out one. The team also sent Kennys Vargas to Triple-A. Molitor said the corresponding roster moves will be announced tomorrow.