Pino Welcomed to Target Field with Quality Start

Last night was going to happen for Yohan Pino, whether Mother Nature wanted to cooperate or not.  The Twins were reeling, in the midst of a five game losing streak, they had just been swept by the Boston Red Sox, and Yohan Pino was set to make his Major League Debut at the age of 30.

After a two-hour long rain delay, Pino was finally able to make his much-anticipated debut.  He made sure to capitalize and make it count.

The scoring broke open in the bottom of the second inning.  Jose Quintana delivered a pitch to Josh Willingham, and Willingham broke out a home run derby-esque swing on the ball.  Crushed to left, Willingham gave the ball a ride and it was deposited into the downtown Minneapolis moonlight.

The third inning saw the White Sox answer, and take the lead, as Conor Gillaspie delivered a two run single with the bases loaded.  Alejandro De Aza scored and was followed home by Adam Eaton.  The Twins were able to stop the bleeding by gunning down Gordon Beckham at third base.

Responding immediately, the Twins knotted the game up at 2 behind a Joe Mauer single that scored Danny Santana.

It was again Mauer driving in runs in the 8th inning, as his double scored Santana again and brought Brian Dozier to third.  The scoring wasn’t done in the 8th, as All Star hopeful catcher, Kurt Suzuki, hit a sacrifice fly to center field that was deep enough to drive in Dozier from third.

A day after being unavailable with a back injury, Glen Perkins came in to close the game out in the 9th and secure the win for the Twins.

Unfortunately, Pino didn’t factor into the decision, but behind 7 strong innings striking out 7, giving up only two runs, and walking only one, he put the Twins in a position to win.  The bats didn’t necessarily come to life for the Twins last night in a big way, but they got the job done.

The Twins are back at it again tonight at Target Field in game two of the series against the White Sox.  First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 pm central.