Minnesota Twins Game Grades: (Rinse, Repeat) Still Winless

Minnesota Twins Snatch Defeat From the Jaws of Victory

All afternoon, the improbable story line was going to be Ricky Nolasco rescuing the Twins’ first week, by dragging the team along for their first win of 2016. Instead, an already tired story line played out once more. Stop me if you’ve heard this one, the Twins bullpen gives up late lead in a crushing loss.

Nolasco, yes that starting pitcher everyone wanted gone, pitched a nearly flawless 7 innings. Only blemish was the mistake he left up to Mike Moustakas, who promptly hammered it for a solo shot in the bottom of the 6th. Otherwise, just 3 hits allowed, 5 K’s, and 0 walks. He turned over a 3-1 lead to the bullpen.

Another Twin making his first start of the season, Eduardo Nunez, went 4-4 at the plate, reaching base for a fifth time in the 10th inning getting hit by a pitch. Nunez got his second hit in the 5th, and the next 3 Twins proceeded to strike out. In the 6th, after Miguel Sano singled in the Twins’ first run, the next two Twins once again struck out before Nunez came to the rescue with an RBI hit.

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Brian Dozier extended the lead back to 2 runs in the next half inning after Moustakas’ homer with a solo shot of his own, his first of the year. At that point, the Twins had 9 hits, 2 of them with runners in scoring position, and seemed poised to score an unlikely win with their 5th man in the rotation over the defending World Champs’ ace, Edinson Volquez.

But Kansas City proceeded to do what KC does, come back in the late innings. This time, Kevin Jepsen survived the 8th inning, allowing only a harmless single. After loading the bases in the top of the 9th inning (with a bunt single by Byron Buxton and reaching 2nd base on an overthrow followed by 2 out walks to Mauer (intentional) and Max Kepler) the Twins squandered a chance to pad their lead by leaving them loaded as Byung-ho Park struck out for the 4th time in the game.

In the bottom of the 9th, Twins closer Glen Perkins allowed a one out single to Christian Colon, followed by a slicing triple to Eric Hosmer (his only hit in 13 ABs this series) which Eddie Rosario just missed catching in the left field corner. Kendrys Morales followed that with a drive to deep right field but Kepler made a great catch over his right shoulder. That sacrifice fly tied the game. After a single by Alex Gordon, Perkins finally struck out Sal Perez to send game to extra innings.

In the top of the 10th, Nunez got hit by a pitch, but was promptly thrown out trying to steal second, ending any Twins’ threat. In the bottom of the frame, Trevor May came on in relief, and quickly issued a four-pitch walk to Colon, who was lifted for pinch-runner, the speedy Terrance Gore. In typical 2016 Minnesota Twins fashion, Gore soon reached 3rd base on a bad pick-off throw by May to Park, and scored on a May wild pitch two outs later. Ouch.

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The Twins will face the Chicago White Sox tomorrow afternoon at the Target Field home opener. Twins are 0-6, Chicago is 4-2. First pitch is at 3:10 CST. Kyle Gibson will get the start the Twins. The game will be broadcast on FSN. Expected to be a cool 43 degrees at game time. Because of today’s rain-out for the Sox, Jose Quintana will be pushed pack and get the start opposite Gibson.