Minnesota Twins Trying for Sweep, Implode in 7th Inning, Fall 10-3.
The Minnesota Twins did not look like one of the two worst teams in baseball for the first 24 innings of baseball against the Miami Marlins. After winning the first two games, the Twins battled to a 2-2 tie going into the top of the 7th inning.
And then, well, the 2016 version of the Twins reared its head once more, allowing 7 runs on 8 hits, including a 2-run, pinch-hit home run by Chris Johnson, to take a commanding 9-2 lead. Trevor May had an impressively horrible appearance in relief of Ervin Santana, allowing 3 hits (2 doubles), and 3 runs without recording an out.
Santana had scattered 6 hits in his first six innings, allowing just 2 runs (both with 2 outs) with no walks and 3 strikeouts. After getting the first out in the seventh, Santana gave up 3 consecutive singles, the final a run-scoring hit by the ageless Ichiro Suzuki.
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On came May. With runners on the corners and one out in what was then a 3-2 game, May promptly uncorked a wild pitch to allow the 4th run to score. He then allowed back-to-back doubles, before a single by Marcell Ozuna chased May from the game as boos rained down at Target Field.
Taylor Rogers, who won yesterday’s game, relieved May and was faced with the task of going up against Giancarlo Stanton. Stanton worked the count full before striking out, and it seemed that Rogers relaxed a little after getting the Marlins’ top slugger out, because two pitches later Johnson lined a fastball over the right field wall to cap the 7th inning for Miami.
And just like that, a 2-2 game was out of reach. Phil Hughes pitched in relief in the 8th inning, and he too allowed 3 consecutive singles for the final Miami run. The Twins loaded the bases in the 9th inning with only one out, but the could only score a run on a passed ball. After re-loading the bases, Juan Centeno grounded into a game-ending double play.
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Notes: Both Phil Hughes (hit by batted ball on knee) and Oswaldo Arcia (bruised foot) left the game due to injuries. Both X-rays were negative. Twins drafted 1B/OF Alex Kiriloff, a high schooler from Pennsylvania, with the 15th pick in the amateur draft. Drafted another high-schooler, catcher Ben Rortvedt from Wisconsin, in the second round. Both are left-handed hitters.
The Twins will face the Boston Red Sox tomorrow night at Target Field, wrapping up their 10 game homestand with 3 against the Red Sox. First pitch is at 7:10 CDT. Tyler Duffey (2-4) will face knuckleballer Steven Wright (6-4). Wright’s 2.29 ERA is 3rd in the AL. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports North.