Minnesota Twins Game Grades as Twins Snap Losing Streak

Minnesota Twins Start Slow, Finish Strong in 7-4 Win Over Yankees

Entering the 5th inning against starter Nathan Eovaldi, the Minnesota Twins looked to be headed towards another lackluster loss against a pitcher who was struggling. Eovaldi’s 9.00 ERA in his last 3 games were but a distant memory as the Twins struggled to get men on base.

Their biggest threat before the 5th was a pair of one-out walks in the first inning. Eovaldi had only allowed one hit, and was leading 2-0 when Max Kepler led off the 5th inning. Two pitches later, and the Twins were awakened by Kepler’s line shot into the right field stands, as was the sweltering crowd who was being lulled to sleep in the 90 degree heat on Father’s Day.

Twins’ starter, Ervin Santana shut the door the following half inning, once again bringing the Twins to the plate. With one out, the Twins put together their game-winning rally, collecting five straight hits

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Brian Dozier and Trevor Plouffe singled. Eduardo Escobar then squirted one down the first base line that just avoided hitting the stands that jut out halfway down the right field line. A fan reached out, but quickly pulled his hand back as it slowly rolled to right fielder Brett Gardner. Gardner waited back on the ball, unsure if it would carom or not.

Dozier easily scored from second base, and Trevor Plouffe motored around third and paused to look for Gene Glynn’s sign, who was trying to send him home. Gardner’s throw easily beat Plouffe to home plate, but Plouffe slid around the tag and slapped his left hand on the plate…and was called out.

Plouffe immediately signaled to the Minnesota Twins’ bench to challenge the call, and a few minutes later they were celebrating at Target Field as the call was overturned, giving Escobar a 2-RBI triple in the process.

Kepler promptly greeted reliever Dellin Betances with an RBI single, and Kurt Suzuki continued his hot stretch at the plate with an RBI double. When the dust settled, the Twins were leading 5-2, and Ervin Santana was rolling.

Santana made quick work in the top of the 7th, and Dozier extended the lead to 6-2 with a blast off the facing of the second deck in left field. Santana got the first out in the 8th inning, then hung a breaking pitch to Ike Davis, giving up a line single to right. After 104 pitches in the heat and humidity, Molitor pulled Santana and he tipped his cap to a standing ovation.

Taylor Rogers briefly gave Twins’ fans flashbacks after 4 pitches in relief. Two errors, 1 by Rogers himself, another by Plouffe at first base (his first time there all year), gave the Yankees their third run, and left them with runners at first and third with 1 out. Rogers struck out Carlos Beltran and Brandon Kintzler came on to strike out Alex Rodriguez.  Threat over.

Next: Twins Recover Rule 5 Draft Pick Jones

MVT: Ervin Santana

The Twins have tomorrow off before hosting the Philadelphia Phillies.