Bader led off the third inning with an infield single, stole second base and came around to score the Twins’ first run on error by Francisco Lindor. The 30-year-old outfielder then delivered an RBI single in the fourth inning that gave the Twins a 3-2 lead. He also singled in the eighth inning. With the three-hit attack, Bader is now slashing .255/.286/.468 with three homers, 11 RBI and one stolen base through his first 16 games on the season.

Bader dropped a run-scoring single into left field off of Cole Ragans in the fifth inning that tied the score at 1-1. Unfortunately, that would be the extent of the Twins’ offense in the ballgame. The 30-year-old outfielder has secured a regular role with the Twins — even against right-handed pitching — and has started off the season strong, hitting .300/.323/.633 with three long balls and 10 RBI.

Through 2024, Bader averaged one homer every 36 plate appearances in his career. This season, he has three in 16 plate appearances. The two the last two days have both been three-run blasts. We wouldn’t suggest getting too excited, but since the hot start could lead to full-time at-bats for a spell and he’s a quality basestealer, he might offer some short-term mixed-league value.

Bader, who had entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning, made the most of his only plate appearance in the contest — crushing a 378-foot (98.9 mph EV) three-run shot off of Jordan Leasure that extended the Twins’ lead to 8-3. His first season with the Twins has gotten off to a nice start, hitting .250 (3-for-12) with a pair of long balls and five RBI.