Jordan Schafer Sparks Twins Late Rally, Secures Win

The Minnesota Twins were looking to steal a game from the Kansas City Royals. After two straight nights of being in games late and watching a victory slip away, it finally was the Twins turn.

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Minnesota got on the board early, and they made sure to let pitcher Tommy Milone know he would have run support. A Kennys Vargas fielder’s choice plated the first run of the game, scoring Brian Dozier from third base. With Kurt Suzuki on second, Oswaldo Arcia beat out an infield single to put the Twins ahead 2-0 in the top half of the first inning.

The lead wouldn’t last long however as the Royals answered back in their half of the first. An Alex Gordon single scored Alcides Escobar, while a Salvador Perez single plated Gordon. Kansas City had knotted things up at 2.

In the fourth, the Twins were at it once again. Speedy outfielder Jordan Schafer drove a single to right field scoring Chris Parmelee, and then Dozier followed up with a single of his own to score Schafer. The Twins once again found themselves out in front by a tally of 4-2 as the top of the fourth came to a close.

Kansas City was able to get one run back in the bottom of the inning thanks to a Christian Colon single. Lorenzo Cain scored on the play and brought the Twins lead to only one.

Billy Butler tied things up once again in the bottom of the fifth with a single that scored Escobar for his second run of the night. Into the sixth, things were all even at 4.

Known for his base stealing and defense, Jordan Schafer gave the Twins the lead again in the sixth as he double to right, scoring Parmelee for the second time on the evening.

The Kansas City Royals would turn to their All Star left fielder for an answer however. No, Josh WIllingham was not an All Star, and he was the designated hitter tonight for the Royals. Instead, Alex Gordon came to the plater and hit a shot to right field, clearing the wall and tying the game at 5 in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Both teams would struggle to put anything together into the ninth, and free baseball would commence.

In the tenth inning however, the Twins bats came alive. Off of longtime starter Bruce Chen, the Twins got to work. An Eduardo Nunuez single started things off scoring Arcia and bringing Trevor Plouffe around to third with Joe Mauer standing on second.

Schafer once again provided support with his bat, singling to left and driving in Plouffe and Mauer. Dozier followed suit with a double scoring both Nunez and Schafer on the play, and then Suzuki doubled on his own driving in Dozier. After the dust had settled, the Twins found themselves ahead 11-5 headed to the bottom of the tenth.

Glen Perkins slammed the door and the Twins were able to hold on for the win.

Minnesota is back in action tomorrow night against the Orioles. First pitch from Camden Yards is scheduled for 6:05 pm central time and will feature Trevor May for the Twins against Miguel Gonzalez for the Orioles

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