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.