Joe Mauer doesn't hit many triples. He also hasn't driven in a lot of runs in extra innings during his career.
On Sunday, he did both -- and it lifted the Twins to a 4-2 win over the Seattle Mariners.
Mauer's two-out, two-run triple in the top of the 11th inning was the difference in Minnesota's series finale at Safeco Field. It was the first career triple in extra innings for Mauer, who entered Sunday's game with just seven career RBI in 71 career extra-innings at-bats.
Facing Mariners reliever Tyler Olson with runners on first and second, Mauer lined a triple to the gap in right-center, scoring Chris Herrmann from second and Brian Dozier from first. After Glen Perkins closed the door in the bottom of the 11th for the save, the Twins won their first road series of the year.
Mauer's triple -- the 23rd of his career -- was a big part of it.
"Right now, he's getting hits with men in scoring position," Twins manager Paul Molitor said after Sunday's win. "I'm glad he's at where he's at. He certainly came through for us in big-time fashion today."
The triple wasn't Mauer's only hit of the day, but it was no doubt the biggest. Though he finished 3-for-5 from the plate Sunday, he hit the ball hard in all five at-bats. Mauer singled to center in the first inning to help set up the Twins' first run one batter later. Mauer later doubled to left-center in the top of the third, driving in Shane Robinson to put Minnesota up 2-0.
"Five times on the barrel," Molitor said of Mauer's five at-bats.
After Seattle tied the game in the fourth against Twins starter Kyle Gibson, both teams battled through several scoreless innings to get into the 11th. After Minnesota's reliever combination of Aaron Thompson and Casey Fien kept the game tied following Gibson's exit, Mauer saved his best hit of the day for last.
The triple came on just the second pitch of the at-bat against Olson. Mauer fouled off a 75 mph curveball from Olson for strike one before clicking on the next pitch, another curveball. The line drive to right-center got by Seattle right fielder Nelson Cruz and rolled all the way to the wall, allowing both runners to score.
"I saw him last night or the night before. I kind of had a good idea of how his ball moves," Mauer said of Olson. "I was kind of telling myself he was probably going to get ahead with the breaking ball. It's got to be at you to be a good one. He hung one and I was able to put a good swing on it."
While the Twins' offense has taken some time to heat up through the first month of the season, Mauer has been one of Minnesota's best hitters. He entered Sunday's game batting a team-high .274 with six RBI and a pair of doubles.
Following Sunday's three-high performance, Mauer raised his average to .299 as the Twins now prepare for a long homestand at Target Field following a 3-3 road trip.
"We always talk about winning a series, and if we win the series we'll be alright," Mauer said. "We did our job here this weekend."
The 2014 season was a disappointment for Mauer, who hit a career-low .277 in 120 games. He adjusted just fine to his new position at first base, but struggled at the plate after missing most of the previous offseason as he dealt with concussion symptoms.
Mauer hoped having a full and healthy offseason prior to 2015 would help him at the plate. Sunday's performance was a sign that perhaps it did just that.
"I felt really good today," Mauer said. "To get a few to fall was great. That was a nice way to end it, driving in a couple there to help the team win."FOX Sports North's Marney Gellner contributed to this report.
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