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Minnesota Twins Flip Script, Sweep Atlanta Braves

ByJordan Wickstrom|
Aug 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kyle Gibson (44) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning at Turner Field. The Twins defeated the Braves 10-3. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kyle Gibson (44) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning at Turner Field. The Twins defeated the Braves 10-3. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

In a complete reversal of the 1991 World Series trend, the Minnesota Twins traveled to Atlanta and left with a sweep.

After losing two games back at Target Field in July, the Minnesota Twins headed south to Turner Field to finish off the series.

Behind two very strong pitching performances from Ervin Santana and Kyle Gibson, the Twins won 4-2 and 10-3.

Santana went seven scoreless and picked up a win against his former team but the real story was Gibson’s start.

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Gibson tossed a complete game, allowing eight hits and three runs while striking out six. It was Gibson’s first career complete game.

Helped out by an offensive outburst, Gibson was solid after having some troubles against the Kansas City Royals last week.

The Minnesota Twins hit four doubles on Wednesday and five players had multi-hit performances in the victory.

On Tuesday, the combination of Joe Mauer and Trevor Plouffe led the team to victory.

Mauer hit his 10th home run of the season and scored twice while Plouffe had three hits with a double.

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Final
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OFFENSE

Joe Mauer
A

Game One: W, 4-2, 11 Hits, 6 Walks, 1 Home Run, 1 Double, 7 Strikeouts

Game Two: W, 10-3, 14 Hits, 9 Walks, 4 Doubles, 13 Strikeouts

Yes, you read that right, nine walks on Wednesday for the Minnesota Twins.

What was even more impressive? Mauer was not in the lineup for Wednesday’s victory.

As a team, the Twins were just on; collecting 15 walks, 25 hits and 14 runs between the two games.

Mauer smacked his 10th homer of the season and the Twins doubled five times during the two-game sweep.

STARTERS

Kyle Gibson
A

Game One: 7 IP, 4 Hits, 2 Walks, 6 Strikeouts, 0 Runs

Game Two: 9 IP, 8 Hits, 3 Walks, 6 Strikeouts, 3 Earned Runs

Gibson was once again proved to be a tough pitcher to figure out as you just don’t know what you’re going to get.

One game, he’ll be allowing five earned the next he’ll toss his first career complete game. Hopefully this is the beginning of an upward trend as the Minnesota Twins view Gibson as someone who can be a solid contributor to the starting staff in the future.

Not to be outdone, Santana also tossed a gem, going seven innings, allowing no runs and scattering four hits.

Altogether, this was by far one of the finest two-game stretches by the Twins’ starting pitchers.  

RELIEVERS

Brandon Kintzler
B

Game One: 2 IP, 0 Hits, 1 Walk, 1 Strikeout, 2 Earned Runs

Game Two: No Stats

MVT: Kyle Gibson

Next up for the Minnesota Twins will be a four-game trip to Kansas City to face the defending champion Royals.

Tyler Duffey (8-8, 5.71) will get the ball first against Dillon Gee (4-6, 4.78), the pitcher the Twins torched for five hits on 11 runs.

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Hopefully, the Twins can repeat that performance and pick up a much-needed series win over the Royals.

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