Tyler Duffey pitches a gem to stop the Twins slide

The Minnesota Twins were in danger of losing six straight at Target Field Sunday afternoon and they had their most inexperienced pitcher on the mound. Rookie, Tyler Duffey was making just his eighth career start and was tasked with putting a halt to the Twins five-game losing streak.

The right-handed pitcher responded in a big way. Duffey threw seven scoreless innings as the Twins beat the Los Angeles Angels 8-1 and are currently 2.5 games back of the Houston Astros for the second Wild Card spot in the American League.

It was Duffey’s third straight quality start. In his last seven starts Duffey is 3-0 with a 2.06 earned run average. He hasn’t given up more than three runs in a start since his first Major League start against the Toronto Blue Jays. Duffey has recorded a quality start in five of the eight games he’s started.

If the Twins manage to reach the playoffs they have to decide if they’d want to start a rookie in a one game playoff. There is no question that Duffey has been the Twins best starting pitcher since August 15, when he pitched six scoreless innings and gave up one hit against the Cleveland Indians. He may not have the experience, but he’s pitching like an ace.

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