Handing out Minnesota Twins Grades for the Game of the Year

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Jake Cave of the Minnesota Twins congratulates teammate Byron Buxton on scoring the walk-off run against the Milwaukee Brewers. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Minnesota Twins that Just Scraped By

Alex Avila: 0-4, 2 K, 1 BB

Alex Avila also didn’t have a great game, but he was solid behind the plate, walked once, and his grounder moved Buxton to third in the bottom of the 12 inning, so he doesn’t totally fail. Still would have hoped for a lot more from the veteran catcher. Grade: C-.

Mitch Garver and Jake Cave: 0-0

Mitch Garver and Jake Cave didn’t get an at-bat in, as Cave came in as a pinch runner for Cruz and Garver was forced to play first base when Gonzalez was tossed. Garver made the necessary plays on defense, but with no real impact they get a solid C. Grade C.

Byron Buxton: 0-5

How does a player who hit into two double plays and went 0-5 for five on the night earn himself a C+? By being Byron Buxton of course. Buxton didn’t strike out all game and was placed on second in the 12 inning before using his blazing speed to score the game-winning run. That’s good enough for a C+ for me. Grade C+.

Luis Arraez of the Minnesota Twins catches the ball hit by Ryan Braun at second base during the second inning. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Minnesota Twins that were Above Average

Eddie Rosario: 0-4, 1 BB, 1 SB, 1 R

Despite going hitless at the plate, Eddie Rosario had quite the productive night on the base path, stealing second base (just the fifth of the season for the Twins) and scoring what would turn out to be a very important insurance run. That boosts his grade quite a bit. Grade: B.

Luis Arraez: 1-3, 1 R, 1 BB

Before being lifted in the 9th inning due to a knee injury, Luis Arraez was having a very productive game, hitting a double before scoring on Miguel Sano’s deep double to give the Twins their first run. That hit, run, and a walk on top earn Arraez a nice B+ for his performance. Grade B+.

Ehire Adrianza: 1-2, 1 R, 1 RBI

Ehire Adrianza had a huge impact on the Twins win, and he didn’t even get in until the seventh inning. Adrianza came into the game after Miguel Sano’s second double of the night (as a pinch runner) and scored on Polanco’s single. In his next at-bat, his squeeze bunt scored a key run and led to an infield single on a very good night for the utility man. Grade: B+.

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