'It's scary': As Twins bullpen keys eighth straight win, it's set to welcome Jhoan Duran

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CHICAGO — Following a long 24 hours of travel, the Minnesota Twins offense needed as many chances as it could to push across runs Monday night. Fortunately, a bullpen that promises to only get stronger provided the offense with enough opportunities.

With fireman Jhoan Duran possibly returning as soon as Tuesday night, the Twins bullpen produced another yeoman's effort in a 3-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox, the team's eighth consecutive win. Brock Stewart, Griffin Jax and Caleb Thielbar combined for three scoreless innings, and Max Kepler singled in the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth as the Twins improved to 15-13.

Carlos Santana also homered for the fourth time in five games for the Twins, who were 7-13 only eight days ago.

"It's scary," said outfielder Byron Buxton, who doubled to start the ninth inning and scored the winning run. "Our bullpen has been doing a great job. Our pitchers have been doing a great job. To add Duran back to that mix is a big piece of getting our team back together and continuing on what we've been doing."

SLAMTANA CAN'T BE STOPPED#MNTwins | #MLB pic.twitter.com/vbhkoiLbPv

— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) April 30, 2024

What they've done without the hardest-throwing pitcher in the majors is more than impressive.

Duran hasn't pitched an inning this season, sidelined with a right oblique strain since the middle of March.

Despite Duran's absence, the Twins bullpen has been — as projected — mostly lights out. Because of the outstanding depth, the team entered the season expected to be the top relief corps in the American League and second overall in the majors.

The Twins have maintained that pace throughout the first month of the season even without Duran.

With five more strikeouts over three more scoreless innings Monday, Twins relievers are striking out 11.2 batters per nine innings while compiling a 2.54 ERA.

Shortly after Alex Kirilloff grounded out to strand the go-ahead run in scoring position to end the top of the seventh inning, Stewart took over. The hard-throwing righty struck out two in an easy frame, giving him 17 strikeouts over 12 1/3 scoreless innings on the season.

Limited to four hits after arriving at their hotel around 1 a.m. Monday following a bumpy flight from Long Beach, Calif., the Twins offense again came up empty in the eighth inning as White Sox reliever Michael Kopech retired the top of the lineup in order. But Jax kept the score tied by stranding two runners with an inning-ending strikeout of Eloy Jiménez.

"They've been fantastic," starting pitcher Joe Ryan said. "Talk about hard work, they're the most consistent guys on the team, I'd say, in how they prepare. Griffin Jax obviously works his butt off in how he prepares, and Brock the same. And Thielbar in there. Good to see them do their thing tonight. Stuff looks great."

Whereas the offense looked outstanding through the first seven games of this winning streak, it wasn't as sharp Monday. But given one more chance, Buxton and Kepler came through. Buxton ripped a leadoff double in the ninth inning off Chicago reliever John Brebbia. Kepler, who entered the game as a pinch hitter in the sixth and stranded two with a groundout, followed with an RBI single to right to put the Twins in front 3-2.

"You just have to keep grinding," Kepler said. "It's kind of like the season started on a cold front offensively. You just have to keep battling and have each other's backs, and stuff will go our way."

After struggling in his first four appearances following a spring training hamstring injury, Thielbar also appears to have righted the ship. He worked around a one-out walk and a two-out single to convert his second straight save opportunity and the third of his career, ending the game with a strikeout of Korey Lee.

"They're good at what they do," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. "We had a strong group last year. A lot of that group returned. We add a couple of guys and see what they can do, too. But everyone is pulling their weight right now. … That's when you can kind of stretch the game out a little in your favor when you have guys you put out there, they give you a zero. It keeps your offense going and involved and mentally stimulated and motivated, and we were able to score."

Griff got 'em! #MNTwins | #MLB pic.twitter.com/N1PiPMfO55

— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) April 30, 2024

Duran should only add more fuel to the group's flame. His second rehab outing at Triple-A St. Paul was much sharper than the first, as one might expect from a pitcher appearing in his first game since mid-March. Not only was Duran's command sharper, his high-octane velocity returned. The right-hander struck out two batters in a scoreless frame while averaging 102 mph with his fastball.

"I feel excited because I'm coming back to help more," Duran said. "I know they're doing a great job right now. They're doing great and having a lot of fun. I want to be there soon to be a part of that group."

(Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski / USA Today)