Byron Buxton homers in return to Twins

Byron Buxton earned a good night of sleep Thursday.

Buxton awoke at 3:15 a.m. in Rochester, N.Y., to head to the airport and fly to the Twin Cities. But, about halfway to the airport, he experienced rental car trouble. He started walking toward the airport but then called Mike Herman, Twins director of team travel, who called for a tow truck.

Buxton made his flight on time and landed safely at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. He had left his own car at one of the MSP parking ramps when he was demoted to Class AAA Rochester last month, but he couldn't find it upon his return.

"I looked on every level to find my car,'' Buxton said. "After about an hour and half, I called security, and they had my car.''

He paid to get his car back and drove to the ballpark, arriving at the clubhouse at 3:30 p.m.

He then belted a three-run homer to help the Twins beat the White Sox 8-5.

This is his third stint with the Twins this season. In 20 games with Rochester in August, Buxton batted .257 with five homers and 10 RBI. He did enjoy a stretch in which he homered in four consecutive games — including hitting the first pitch of the game out in back-to-back games.

He also went 15 games without drawing a walk. He walked three times and struck out 32 times in those 20 games.

Since making his major league debut on June 14, 2015, Buxton has a .201 batting average in 110 career games. He's still trying to prove he's the elite prospect many thought he was when the Twins drafted him second overall in 2012.

"Just as far as hitting standpoint, just being more consistent," Buxton said. "Going out there and putting the ball in play. Putting a good swing on the ball and hitting it hard somewhere and getting on base."

It worked out Thursday after a long and tiring day.

"I'm about to go straight to the pillow,'' Buxton said.

Roster expansion

With September's arrival, major league teams now can call up anyone on their 40-man roster. Since Rochester is in playoff contention, it's unlikely that the Twins will promote more players until after the season ends Labor Day.

Three pitchers on the disabled list — lefthanders Buddy Boshers (elbow) and Tommy Milone (biceps) and righthander Trevor May (shoulder) — will be restored to the Twins roster once they are healthy. Boshers is on a rehabilitation assignment at Rochester. May and Milone likely will pitch in simulated games at Target Field before they are activated.

Designated hitter Kennys Vargas and catcher John Ryan Murphy are expected to be among the players summoned from Rochester once the regular season ends. Murphy, who was demoted May 6, extended his hitting streak to seven games Thursday.

With Santana likely headed to the 60-day disabled list, the Twins might call up infielder James Beresford, who is 27 and has never played in the majors.

Etc.

• Former Twins star Justin Morneau opened up his Twin Cities-area home Wednesday night for his White Sox teammates so they could hold their annual fantasy football draft.

• Class AA Chattanooga lefthander Stephen Gonsalves, 22, was named Southern League player of the month after going 5-0 with a 0.28 ERA. He gave up three runs (one earned) over 32⅔ innings in August.