For most of the game, the Twins lineup looked absolutely lifeless. Through seven innings, the Twins had only three hits, total. Two of those hits were be Jason Castro, who hit a single and a double. Jorge Polanco has the other hit.
But then a funny thing happened. The Twins replaced all their “regulars” in the lineup with reserves and minor leaguers, and suddenly became an offensive powerhouse. Ehire Adrianaza, of all people, hit a home run to lead-off the eighth inning, and then the Twins just kept going. Quintin Berry and Eddy Rodriguez both singled, Bengie Gonzalez doubled, and international household name Travis Harrison launched a home run. When all said and done, the Twins had scored five runs, putting them up 5-3.
Alas, it turns out the Phillies could do one better, putting ten players to the plate in the top of the ninth and scoring six runs. It was Buddy Boshers pitching for the Twins that inning, and needless to say, he didn’t have a very good day.
As for starting pitching, Kyle Gibson really only made one mistake today, which was a pitch to Freddy Galvis that ended up over the fence for a solo home run. Notwithstanding that minor blooper, Gibson looked strong in his five innings of work, which included five hits, one walk, and two strikeouts.
Gibson talked with reporters after his outing, per this video by Pioneer Press’s Mike Berardino:
J.T. Chargois was another reliever with a bit of a rough day, giving up up a single, a double, and a walk in a long top of the eighth inning. In fact, Paul Molitor didn’t even let him finish the inning, yanking Chargois after only two outs.
Still... damn you Buddy Boshers!
Notes
- Max Kepler was a little shaky on defense early in the game, missing a pop-up and making an off-target throw on a force out.
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Chris Gimenez entered the game in the eighth inning
as a catcherat third base! Nice positional flexibility there. - During the radio broadcast Danny Gladden talked about how team Puerto Rico dyed their hair blonde for the WBC. He then suggested to Cory Provus that they both grow out their hair as a “team thing” in the radio booth. Cory Provus is bald.