Minnesota Twins Game Grades in 6-5 Loss to Detroit
Minnesota Twins Always One Out Away in Loss to Detroit
In a game featuring Mike Pelfrey and Ricky Nolasco, you knew there would be a lot of pitches being thrown (323 total), and plenty of runners clogging the bases. A pretty game it was not. Pelfrey threw 98 pitches in just four innings, giving up 8 hits, 3 walks, and 5 runs. Nolasco left after 5.2 innings, throwing 104 pitches, giving up 8 hits and five runs as well.
The game swung on two-out hitting. Nolasco had the Twins in the lead, 5-2, in the 6th inning before giving up a game-tying 3-run home run to Nick Castellanos. The Twins ended up giving up the lead for good in the 8th inning when Jarod Saltalamacchia’s double with 2 out scored Justin Upton from first base. Upton appeared to almost stop after getting to third, unable to pick up the third base coach in the shadows. Left fielder Eddie Rosario made a good throw to shortstop Eduardo Escobar, who then dropped the ball as he turned to throw home.
The last run scored by Detroit ran their total to 5 out of their 6 runs being scored with two outs. The Tigers ended the day 3-9 with RISP, while the Twins scored 2 runs with 2 outs (both in the first inning), and hit 4-13 with RISP for the afternoon.
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Finally, in the bottom of the 9th inning, the Twins were facing closer Francisco Rodriguez, who recorded two quick outs. Up stepped Miguel Sano, who already had two hits on the day, including a double. He lined an 0-1 pitch into the right field corner, and for some reason tried to stretch it into a triple. He was thrown out by ten feet, ending the threat and the game.
Twins (7-18) began May as they ended April, on a losing note. The series sweep by the Tigers (14-10) dropped the Twins 10.5 games behind division leader Chicago White Sox. Twins have yet to win a game against a team with a winning record. Twins were swept for the fifth time already this season.
2. Final. 6. 63. 5
11 hits, 3 walks, 5 strikeouts, 0 home runs and 4 for 13 with runners in scoring position. <a href=. . Mauer. OFFENSE . C-
. STARTERS . C. Team totals: 8 hits allowed, 0 walks, 1 home run and 4 strikeouts. Nolasco had pitched out of trouble all game, and manager <a href=.
Team totals: 6 hits allowed, 0 walks, 0 home runs and 4 strikeouts in 3.1 innings pitched. <a href=. . . RELIEVERS . B
B. Twins made no actual errors, and <a href=. . . DEFENSE
Next: Minnesota Twins' Park Keeps Homering, Twins Keep Losing
MVT: Joe Mauer 3-5, 2 runs scored, 1 RBI. Mauer has now reached base in all 25 games this season.
The Minnesota Twins will begin a 6 game road trip with three games at Houston. The Astros were the surprise team of 2015, and like the Twins are at the bottom of their division in the standings. Jose Berrios (0-1) makes his second career start. Houston’s Dallas Keuchel (2-3, 4.41 ERA), last year’s Cy Young award winner in the AL, has struggled so far this year. He’s given up 11 runs in his past two starts, including 6 runs and 13 hits in just 6 innings versus the Texas Rangers. First pitch is at 7:10 CDT, at Minute Maid Park. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports North.