Minnesota Twins: Grounded by Mother Nature, Astros

Aug 11, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins first baseman Kenny Vargas (19) hits a home run during the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Target Field. The Astros win 15-7 over the Twins. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins first baseman Kenny Vargas (19) hits a home run during the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Target Field. The Astros win 15-7 over the Twins. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

It was an unfortunate series for the Minnesota Twins who probably couldn’t help but leave thinking, “what if?”

Mother Nature was brutal to the Minnesota Twins who saw 5-0 lead off the 2015 American League Cy Young winner Dallas Kuechel disappear due to – if you ask me – absurd rule.

That means Brian Dozier‘s 24th home run and Ervin Santana‘s hot start meant nothing.

But odd rules aside, the Houston Astros ended up showing why they are still in postseason contention in a big way, scoring a combined 32 runs in the final three games played.

1. 135. 3. 2. Final

135. 5. 2. Final. 7

7. 2. Final. 15. 135

135. 2. 2. Final. 10

B. <p><strong>Game One</strong>: W, 3-1, 11 Hits, 1 Walk, 7 Strikeouts, 0 Home Runs, 2 Doubles, 1 Triple</p><p><strong>Game Two</strong>: L, 7-5, 9 Hits, 4 Walks, 10 Strikeouts, 2 Doubles, 3 Home Runs</p><p><strong>Game Three</strong>: L, 15-7, 13 Hits, 2 Walks, 6 Strikeouts, 2 Home Runs, 3 Doubles</p><p><strong>Game Four:</strong> L, 10-2, 9 Hits, 0 Walks, 9 Strikeouts, 0 Home Runs, 3 Doubles</p><p>Dozier saw another home run get negated by the MLB’s rain out rule which wiped out all stats from a 5-0 Minnesota Twins lead.</p><p>As a team, the Twins scored 19 runs, not bad for a four game series, just not good enough when the starting staff is getting tossed around by an even better Houston Astros offense.</p><p>The Minnesota Twins flexed their muscles with Dozier, <a href=. . Brian Dozier. OFFENSE

. Tyler Duffey. STARTERS . D. <p><strong>Game One</strong>: 6 IP, 4 Hits, 1 Earned Run, 1 Walk, 8 Strikeouts</p><p><strong>Game Two</strong>: 5 1/3 IP, 7 Hits, 5 Runs (4 Earned Runs), 1 Walk, 4 Strikeouts</p><p><strong>Game Three</strong>: 2 IP, 8 Hits, 6 Runs (5 Earned Runs), 1 Walk, 1 Strikeout</p><p><strong>Game Four:</strong> 3 IP, 5 Hits, 5 Earned Runs, 2 Walks, 1 Strikeout</p><p>Not much competition here, <a href=

D. <p><strong>Game One</strong>: 3 IP, 0 Hits, 0 Runs, 1 Walk, 1 Strikeout</p><p><strong>Game Two</strong>: 3 2/3 IP, 5 Hits, 2 Earned Runs, 1 Walks, 2 Strikeouts</p><p><strong>Game Three</strong>: 7 IP, 11 Hits, 9 Runs (8 Earned Runs), 5 Walks, 4 Strikeouts</p><p><strong>Game Four:</strong> 6 IP, 11 Hits, 5 Runs (3 Earned Runs), 1 Walk, 5 Strikeouts</p><p>As tempting as it is to give <a href=. . . RELIEVERS

MVT: Tyler Duffey

Next up for the Minnesota Twins will be a three-game series with the Kansas City Royals at Target Field.

Next: Kintzler or Perkins in 2017?

The defending World Series champs are in third place currently and just 9.5 games ahead of the Twins.

Kyle Gibson (4-6, 4.86) will go for the Minnesota Twins against Yordano Ventura (7-9, 4.64).