Pitcher’s Duel Turns Bizarre, Minnesota Twins Sweep Kansas City

Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The first two games of the series was a run parade for the Minnesota Twins, but Sunday was definitely a pitcher’s duel between Kevin Correia and Jason Vargas at least until the seventh. Correia and Vargas traded shutout innings for six and a half innings, until Josmil Pinto hit a two-run home run to give the Twins the lead. The next half inning for Corriea blew his shutout, too. A walk and a single lead to a bunt that Trevor Plouffe through past Joe Mauer allowing a run to score forcing returning manager Ron Gardenhire to pull his starter.

The next pitch was from Brian Duensing and Norichika Aoki placed down a squeeze that tied the game. Two batters later, an Eric Hosmer double gave the Royals a one-run lead with all of the runs being charged to starter Kevin Correia.

Aaron Crow, usually pretty good out of the Royals bullpen, came into the ballgame in the eighth inning and proceed to walk Pedro Florimon and Brian Dozier consecutively without recording an out in his appearance. Wade Davis came in as a replacement and started his job off right by getting Joe Mauer to strikeout for the second time in the ball game, but then allowed a walk to Trevor Plouffe to load the bases… then the magic happened.

Chris Herrmann, who came in as a defensive replacement for Chris Colabello, hit a come-backer to Davis who tossed it home, but totally missed his catcher Salvador Perez on the throw. Florimon who was on third scored easily and a strong charging Brian Dozier scored all the way from second on pure hustle giving the Twins a 4-3 lead.

Proven closer Glen Perkins came in for the ninth inning, closed the door for the save and sealed the Twins return to a .500 record. Last out was a fun one with batter interference being called on Mike Moustakas.

Twins RBI: Pinto 2, Herrmann

Twins Extra Base Hits: Pinto HR

Twins Stolen Bases: Mauer (seriously this happened, legitimately too), Florimon, Aaron Hicks

The Twins are off on Monday. The Twins start a new three game series with the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. Tuesday’s game starts at 7:10.