Twins 3, Blue Jays 2: Big Bux bash beats Birds

Blue Jays got on the board first in the top of the 5th. After a Raffy Lopez double, he was sac bunted to third. A high pop-up by Twins Slayer, Josh Donaldson hit between the left infield and outfield for what should’ve been a fairly easy out instead it dropped untouched onto Target Field’s manicured turf and Lopez loped home for a run.

Twins came back in the top half, loading up the bases on three walks then Jorge Polanco hit a sharp line drive to left field allowing two runners to score and the Twins were up 2-1.

Jose Berrios struggled with his command again, giving up a season-high tying four walks. He got himself into a bases loaded jam in the 2nd, but managed to escape unscathed. The only run against him was in the 5th but he only deserves partial blame for that one (see above), but the baseball stat wizards are unforgiving in these matters. He gave up a lead-off walk in the 6th and after a wild pitch and a single, Molly had had enough and his night was over.

After both pitchers were knocked out, it became a battle of the bands bullpens. Justin Smoak broke it up in the 8th with a solo jack to tie it up 2-all in the top of the 9th.

Just when you thought, “Oh, no! Not another one of these games!” With two outs in the bottom of the 10th, Byron Buxton hung a dong to deep left center for the walk-off win, Wild horns blared, Gatorade rained down, and many butt punches were delivered. There was much rejoicing. An exciting ending to an otherwise fairly ho-hum game.

W: Gee (2-2)

L: Santos (0-1)

Berrios (ND) 5.2 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 5 K

Anderson (ND) 4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 4 K

STUDS:

Buxton - 2 for 4, walk-off HR, BB

Polanco - H, 2 RBI, BB

Trevor Hildenberger - 3 batters, 3 Ks

Honorable Mention:

Dillon Gee

Rally Reba on a Stick

duds:

None. It’s Bastille Day in September!

Robot Roll Call!

Comment of the Game:

Kevin Gorg interviewing 25 y/o fan on his birthday - “That’s a very pungent beard.”