Kyle Gibson had a stellar outing tonight in his return to the mound after sitting out his last start with a sore something lower-back stiffness (Jim Thome disease). Kyle gave up only two hits through seven shutout innings, earning his first win since July 9th and ninth win on the season overall.
The Twins got to Royals starter James Shields early with a couple of hits in the first and second, but it wasn't until the top of the third when things got really interesting. With one out and Danny Santana on third, Josh Willingham hit a sac-fly to center field to drive in the first run of the game. In the next at-bat, Chris Parmelee hit a ball to Royals left-fielder Alex Gordon that he appeared to either trap or just barely catch. The whole "Should We Challenge This Replay?" dance ensued, until Gardenhire got the thumbs up and formally challenged the play. The umpires went over to their headsets to listen to the umpires from New York. We watched the play from every angle on slow-mo replay over and over. Waited. Yawn. Doesn't instant replay rule?
After what felt like ten minutes, or at least longer than usual, the umpires upheld the catch and final out of the inning. Gardy came out of the dugout yelling and was instantly ejected.
So I guess that's how it's going to work now.
The Twins scored their second run in the top of the fifth inning on another unusual call. With Danny Santana again on third, and Sam Fuld on first, Brian Dozier hit a ball to left field that scored Santana. As Fuld was rounding second on the play, he ran right into Royals second baseman Omar Infante, who was standing around in the middle of the base-path looking into the outfield. It was ruled interference (obstruction?), and despite being tagged, Sam Fuld was ruled safe at third (and inexplicably Dozier was given second base as well). Royals manager Ned Yost did not like that, but apparently he's more polite than Gardy, because he did not get tossed. Josh Willingham still got drilled on the next pitch, though.
There was no more scoring for the Twins as Gibson sailed through the 7th inning and Casey Fein pitched a fine 8th. In the 9th, our All-Star closer, Glen Perkins, came out for the save. It was an interesting one. Perkins gave up five hits and the Royals' only run of the night, but he was able to sneak out of the inning for the Twins win and save.
Let's leave the interesting saves to Everyday Eddie, Glen.
Studs
Kyle Gibson - 7 innings pitched, 2 hits, 2 walks, 7 strikeouts.
Casey Fein - 1 inning pitched, 1 hit, 0 walks, 1 strikeout.
Brian Dozier - 2-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 walk, 1 strikeout.
Oswaldo Arcia - Not with the team due to the birth of his son, Oswell Arcia. He will rejoin the team tomorrow.
Duds
Eduardo Escobar - 0 for 4, 0 walks, 2 strikeouts.
Chris Parmelee - 0-for-4, 0 walks, 0 strikeouts.
ROLL CALL!
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1 | jere.johnson.37 | 39 |
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