Twins 6, White Sox 4: Escobar elevates Minnesota in nerve-wracking win

There’s a term in economics called “opportunity cost.” It refers to the consequences of decisions. Say, if I buy a new car, that’s money I can’t spend fixing my kitchen. Perhaps the car was more important, perhaps the kitchen was. Time will tell.

Both the Twins and White Sox had quite a few missed opportunities tonight.

In the fourth, Joe Mauer (who hit leadoff this game) had a 3-0 count with runners on 1st & 2nd, nobody out. Against Carson Fulmer, who’d already surrendered four big flies. Mauer struck out. Brian Dozier struck out. Max Kepler hit a single, but it was wasted when speedster Jason Castro got waved around and tagged at the plate.

One frame later, we saw Eduardo Escobar on third with one out. The Sox played infield-in. Molitor called for a suicide squeeze; the pitch was impossible for Ehire Adrianza to bunt, and Escobar was toast.

Chicago had the bases juiced with two outs twice, both times with 9-HR hitter Matt Davidson up. First Jose Berrios, then Ryan Pressly, were able to get Davidson out.

La Maquina came into this game having allowed runs in seven straight innings. He’d make it eight with a two-run blast by Jose Abreu. Berrios was able to keep Minnesota in the game, though, and hopefully he’s close to getting over this early-season hiccup.

Speaking of hiccups, welcome back, Dozier! Batting second for the first time in two years, DOZEBOMB launched a triple to right. He’d score, then add a homer & single later, missing “the cycle” in his last AB. Logan Morrison had a solo moonshot of his own, that’s a nice sign.

I’m just going to ignore Escobar, with his two dongs and a double. Most of baseball has been ignoring EE for years. He seems to do better that way.

Fernando Rodney got his fourth save in seven opportunities, the first one that went 1-2-3. We never doubted you, Fernando. Never.

In more serious news, Morrison and Jake Odorizzi visited their friend Danny Farquhar, the White Sox reliever who suffered a terrifying brain anuerysm during a game two weeks ago. They said Farquhar is doing well. Good on LoMo & Odo, and best wishes to Mr. Farquhar.

Robot Roll Call:

Your Comments Of The GameThread came on this discussion about beating up pitchers:

“Pretty sure beating up Colon just leads to candy falling everywhere” — Haley Joel Hernandez

“No, that’s the ex-Yankee we signed, Michael Pinata” — TeamCrazyMatt