Minnesota Twins Drop Series to a Better Cleveland
Minnesota Twins Drop Finale, Lose Two of Three to Indians
If you were a fan who attended all three games this weekend that honored newly inducted Minnesota Twins Hall of Famers Torii Hunter and John Gordon, you sat through nine and a half hours of baseball, over an hour of induction ceremonies, and just over two hours of a rain delay.
You will now need a vacation from your vacation.
In between, the Twins eked out an extra-inning win between two dominating pitching performances by Cleveland Indian pitchers. While the Twins low-ranked defense lived up to its billing, as Miguel Sano committed three errors in just two games.
Sano, at times, looked both amazing and amazingly bad at third base.
In Sunday’s finale, Kyle Gibson deserved a better fate.
First, shortstop Eduardo Escobar fumbled an easy double play grounder to get out of the sixth inning unscathed. Since they were able to get one out at second, no error was recorded (can’t assume a double play).
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Danny Santana then took a Disco Danny Ford route to a fly ball to center field that resulted in a ground rule double. Another play that should have been an error, but went as a hit.
A two-run single essentially put Sunday’s game out of reach at 4-0.
On Friday, Carlos Carrasco finally beat the Minnesota Twins, showing them what he’s done to much of the rest of the American League for the past two and a half seasons.
Brian Dozier‘s sac fly and home run were the only two run-scoring threats in a 5-2 loss.
Carrasco scattered just four hits in 6 2/3 innings, striking out three and walking only one. As a reflection of his dominance, the Minnesota Twins only had two at-bats with runners in scoring position, going 0-2.
Saturday’s game was delayed for about a half an hour as the Twins inducted Hunter into their Hall of Fame. The game also needed extra innings to finish, and after two-hour and two-minute rain delay, the Twins ended it 11 minutes later.
After Joe Mauer took his third walk of the game, Sano doubled followed by an intentional walk to Robbie Grossman to load the bases with one out.
Max Kepler hit a hot shot back to reliever Joe Colon, who attempted to catch the one-hopper behind his back.
After just deflecting it, Colon threw home for the force out, which Indians’ catcher Yan Gomes appeared to try to catch it and turn a double play at first base.
Instead, it went off his glove as Mauer slid home with the winning run.
This was Cleveland’s first series win against the Twins. Minnesota still holds the season’s edge, 5-4, winning both earlier series 2-1.
20 hits, 8 walks (6 in Saturday’s win), 24 strikeouts, 2 home runs and 1-for-23 with runners in scoring position for the weekend. The Minnesota Twins struck out 12 times in Saturday’s 5-4 win, including many RISP opportunities. Dozier ended series 4-for-11 with four RBI’s.. . Brian Dozier. OFFENSE . C
B-. Team totals: 22 hits allowed, 6 walks, 1 home run and 11 strikeouts. Both Duffey and Gibson deserved better given the poor defense behind them, though Gibson did allow 10 hits. Duffey once again gave his team a chance to win the game, pitching into the seventh inning.. . . STARTERS
. RELIEVERS . B+. Team totals: 8 hits allowed (in 11 1/3 innings), 4 walks, 3 home runs and 6 strikeouts. The numbers were spectacular until <a href=.
D. Had three errors in two games, including dropping an easy pop-up. He also made some fine plays at third base, including a bare-handed grab and throw on a chopped by <a href=. . Miguel Sano. DEFENSE
MVT: Brian Dozier
SCARY MOMENT: In Saturday’s game, Mike Napoli hit a line into the stands and struck a young boy in the head. After a brief delay, the game resumed with Napoli visibly shaken. Reportedly, Napoli sent the family a letter and bats, balls, jerseys, etc. Class act. The boy appeared to be in good condition.
Next: Options at First, Post-Mauer
UP NEXT: The Minnesota Twins will hit the road for seven games next week, first with three games at division foe, Detroit. Ricky Nolasco makes his first start following the All-Star break, and the Minnesota Twins hope he pitches well for an audition as the trading deadline comes up at the end of the month. First pitch is at 6:10 CDT. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports North.