It was a pretty good 22nd birthday for Minnesota Twins outfielder Oswaldo Arcia on Thursday night.
One day after Arcia had four hits in a big Twins win in Boston, he tallied his first career triple and also hit a two-run home run (his third of the season) as Minnesota won 5-3 in Thursday's series finale at Fenway Park. Thanks in part to the birthday boy Arcia, the Twins took three of four games from the Red Sox improved to 16-15 as they head back to Minneapolis for a home stand at Target Field.
"It's important for me to get the ‘W,'" Arcia said through translator Wilkin Ramirez. "I got a big home run today. The more important thing is that we won the game today."
Arcia hit his first career triple in the top of the fifth inning as his shot to center field wasn't caught by Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury. As the ball bounced off the wall and rolled toward the infield, Arcia hustled around the bases and was safe at third. He soon came around to score on an RBI double by fellow rookie Aaron Hicks for Minnesot'as first run.
One inning later Arcia's two-run, two-out homer in the top of the sixth inning pushed Minnesota's lead to 5-2. Arcia's third home run of the year, a drive to right-center field, was part of the Twins' four-run inning against Boston starter John Lackey.
Not a bad way for Arcia to celebrate his 22nd birthday.
"He's a fun kid to watch with the bat," said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire. "It was just another good swing. What you see out of him, he's able to shorten his swing when he has to and lengthen out like he did there (on the home run). He got a pitch and really drove it."
In seven games in the month of May, Arcia is now batting 12-for-27 (.444) and has hit safely in seven straight games. During that span he has a home run, a triple, three doubles and four RBI.
Arcia made his major league debut on April 15 when outfielder Wilkin Ramirez went on paternity leave. But Arcia's initial stay in the big leagues was brief as he was optioned back to Triple-A Rochester after his debut — a 1-for-3 night at the plate. Arcia was back just a few days later, though, and he has stuck around ever since. With the way he's been hitting as of late, it doesn't appear Arcia will be heading back to Rochester any time soon.
"I'm learning now how the people are pitching to me," Arcia said. "It's a big league adjustment, trying to adjust, trying to go the other way instead of trying to hit a big home run. Like today, I wasn't trying and I got a big home run. I'm trying to just go with whatever they throw to me."
FOX Sports North's Marney Gellner contributed to this report.
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