Rays 19, Twins 6: Willians Astudillo pitched the 9th inning

Today’s game was a battle of two aces, Jose Berrios and Chris Archer, but that didn’t stop the barrage of runs. Later, the Twins had a 6-4 lead going into the 7th, but well you see how well that turned out.

Jose Berrios looked pretty sharp early and Max Kepler got the Twins their first lead with a solo blast to right in the 2nd.

The Rays got to Berrios in the 4th, though, with three doubles to score 4 runs. Eduardo Escobar got one of those runs back in the 5th on an infield single to make it a 4-2 game. Chris Archer was taken out with just 1 out in the 5th, as his pitch count was in the 90s already.

The Twins came all the way back and took the lead in the 6th inning. With 1 out, Ehire Adrianza, Robbie Grossman, and Bobby Wilson all singled to load the bases. Joe Mauer grounded out but picked up an RBI. Then Eddie Rosario hit a double to score two more runs. Dozier was intentionally walked and then Escobar hit a single to center, scoring Eddie but Dozier was thrown out at home to end the inning.

Despite the 4-run 4th inning, Berrios settled down and pitched scoreless 5th and 6th innings. The 7th inning, however, started with a walk to Mallex Smith and then a single by Adeiny Hechavarria to knock Berrios out of the game.

Zach Duke was brought in to face Kevin Kiermaier, who was asked to bunt, failed, but ended up hitting a single to left to score a run anyway. Matt Duffy followed with a single to right to score another run. With runners at 1st and 3rd and one out, Jesus Sucre hit a sac fly to right field, giving the Rays a 7-6 lead. Joey Wendle later tripled, plating two more runs to make it 9-6. Ryan Pressly was brought in to finally end the inning with a strikeout.

Matt Belisle came in to pitch the 8th and well 5 runs scored to break the game wide open at 14-6, Rays. Two of the runs came on a 2-run homer by C.J. Cron.

Let’s see, a fan made a nice catch in the bottom of the 8th. Good job, fan!

Willians Astudillo, the catcher (who still hasn’t played catcher), pitched for the Twins in the 9th! Carlos Gomez was having none of it, and hit a blast to left to make it 15-6. Mallex Smith followed that with a double into the corner. It didn’t really go well, but it was still awesome to see.

Anyway, by the end of that the Rays were up 19-6. I had to change the number in this recap like 4 times and Carlos Gomez pimped a home run he hit off a position player because he’s Carlos Gomez. There was a bottom of the 9th but nothing happened. All I know is that it was too long.

Oof.

Studs:

Duds:

I don’t even know.

Robot Roll Call:

See you guys tomorrow!