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Coming into tonight, Lance Lynn had issued 8.7 walks per 9 innings in his 2018 starts. Hector Santiago had averaged 4.0/9 over his career. Lynn allowed no walks in this game. Santiago, six. There you go; story of ballgame.
It looked bad for Lynn at first. After retiring Leury Garcia to start, he gave up a double and three straight singles. Then David Ortiz Daniel Palka came up to bat. Per InterWebz:
Palka grounds into double play to end the threat.
— Mike Berardino (@MikeBerardino) May 5, 2018
Lynn bends from the waist and yells at the grass.
3-1 after 1.
That would be about it for the White Sox threatening. Lynn did cough up two doubles and a single in the fifth, but a strategically-placed double play in that mix held Chicago to a lone run. It was Lynn’s first “quality start” of 2018.
The “Good Guys” took their time announcing Santiago as today’s starter, and Twins fans will remember why. When he was younger, teams hoped he might fix those control issues; it doesn’t seem likely at 30. When Santiago throws strikes, they’re eminently hittable. Joe Mauer led off with a single, Max Kepler walked, Eduardo Escobar doubled, Eddie Rosario singled, Mitch Garver did the same... 3-0.
Two more walks and a Rosario dong in the third. Two more walks and a Rosario double in the fourth (that last off reliever Chris Volstad, whom Chicago had considered starting instead). When the inning ended with a questionable full-count call on Logan Morrison, I actually wondered if the umpires were afraid one more walk might start a riot.
Rosario finished the night 4-5. He also fouled a ball into his Area (no harm done). This led Cory Provus and Dan Gladden to discuss athletic supporters on-air for fifteen minutes. It was that kind of low-stress game, which it feels like the Twins haven’t had since March. Matt Magill pitched two innings and gave up one run. Phil Hughes pitched one inning and gave up no bones.
Is Lynn all better, now? Uh.... ask Criswell? Without those two double plays, this might have gone very differently. Still, 0 walks is better than six. Robot Roll Call:
| # | Commenter | # Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | HectoringHector | 54 |
| 2 | TJ Gorsegner | 23 |
| 3 | Asthix | 22 |
| 4 | Joel Hernandez | 21 |
| 5 | Klawitter | 19 |
| 6 | kenzertz | 16 |
| 7 | Sportsavenue | 14 |
| 8 | Daniel Carlson | 12 |
| 9 | montanatwinsfan | 11 |
| 10 | Pau from the sky-tinted water | 8 |
| 11 | myjah | 8 |
| 12 | Name-Game | 7 |
| 13 | dobber135 | 5 |
| 14 | TeamCrazyMatt | 4 |
| 15 | Imakesandwichesforaliving | 3 |
| 16 | mefoolonhill | 3 |
| 17 | Cbrolin | 2 |
| 18 | Coach Farmer | 1 |
Comment Of The Game Thread: “Thank You Santiago. Your contribution is noted.” — Asthix