Twins 6, Rangers 5: The Comeback Kids

The Rangers got out to an early 5-0 lead on Jose Berrios and the Twins in the 1st inning. The damage coming on a two-run and a three-run homer. The latter came off the bat of the ageless Adrian Beltre.

The Twins answered the Rangers power with some of their own in the 2nd. Both Max Kepler and Brian Dozier banged 2-run homers to cut the lead to 5-4. For Kepler, it was his first homer in over a month (June 28th). In the 3rd, Eddie Rosario joined the HR department (ha!) with a solo shot to tie the game.

In the 5th, Eduardo Escobar walked and stole 2nd base. With 2 outs, Robbie Grossman singled to right, scoring Escobar. Grossman tried for 2nd and was thrown out, but Escobar touched the plate just in time so the run counted. The Rangers challenged this play but lost.

After the first inning, Jose Berrios had a good day: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 6 K, 2 HR. The offense bailed him out, and he didn’t give up any more runs. From there, Trevor Hildenberger pitched 2 shutout innings, allowing just 1 hit. Taylor Rogers pitched a perfect 8th; nice to see him back on track. Matt Belisle got the “closer” job today and did it well, giving the Twins the win.

Notes:

• Brian Dozier left the game with an “illness” of some sort, he’s day to day.
• Ehire Adrianza made a really nice catch to save a run, filling in for Brian.
• Matt Belisle’s entrance song is People Of The Sun - Rage Against the Machine.

Studs:

Dozier, Kepler, Rosario: They hit the dingers

Jose Berrios innings 2-5

The bullpen: 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K

Duds:

Jose Berrios’ first inning

Jason Castro: 0-3, 2 K

Robot Roll Call: