Minnesota Twins Game Grades: Santana Shaky in Loss
The Minnesota Twins put forward a solid effort but fall behind Ervin Santana‘s start.
The Minnesota Twins had won two in a row but fell last night in the second game of their series against the Los Angeles Angels.
The Twins record now stands at 20-44
The Twins, contrary to facing the vast majority of teams, have enjoyed plenty of success against the Angels this year. Last night was the first game that they had dropped against Los Angeles.
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The Angels, of course, have had many struggles of their own, in spite of having perhaps the MLB’s best player on their roster.
Ervin Santana couldn’t get any sort of momentum going and gave up a run in each of the 5 innings he lasted except the 4th.
He threw only 72 pitches and was in the strike zone but the Angels hit him hard and often. He was only able to get one strikeout to add to his struggles.
Michael Tonkin, Kevin Jepsen and Ryan Pressly followed with three scoreless innings of relief. Jepsen loaded the bases but managed to escape the inning by the skin of his teeth.
Juan Centeno got the Twins’ scoring going with an RBI single in the 2nd. Trevor Plouffe had a RBI single in the 3rd. Joe Mauer tripled home a run in the 5th and Byron Buxton doubled home Max Kepler in the 6th to put the Twins within one.
4. 2. Final. 5. 102
C+. 10 hits, 2 walk, 6 strikeouts, 0 home runs and 4 for 7 RISP. Joe Mauer and Juan Centeno had two hits including a triple from Mauer. The surprising Robbie Grossman continued his red hot start to his Twins career. He had a double, single and a walk.. . Robbie Grossman. OFFENSE
Totals: 10 hits allowed, 0 walk, 2 home runs, and 1 strikeouts.. . Ervin Santana. STARTER . D
B+. The ‘pen was responsible for 3.0 innings and allowed no runs. They struck out 1 and allowed 5 hits and walks. Pressly gets the special mention with a clean inning. . Ryan Pressly. RELIEVERS
DEFENSE . A. The Twins made no errors and completed three double plays. Max Kepler and Byron Buxton added outfield assists.. .
Next: Three Homers Set Tone in Win
MVT: Robbie Grossman
The Twins will finish their set against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim tonight. First pitch is at 9:5 PM CT. Tyler Duffey gets the start for the Twins.