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Robbie Grossman hit his first career grand slam tonight. The Twins were leading after 25 outs were made. Four relievers pitched without giving up a run. And then the Fernando Rodney Experience happened.
Kyle Gibson gave up a run in the first inning. It wasn’t a terribly hard hit ball that did it, but rather a bunch of little plays. Two singles, and a fielder’s choice put the Brewers on the board. On the next play, Joe Mauer committed a throwing error, but Eddie Rosario picked him up, throwing out the runner at home to end the inning with the Twins only down one run.
The Twins got the run back in the third. Kyle Gibson started the fun with a single, for his third career hit. Joe Mauer moved him over with a double, and then Brian Dozier drove Gibby home with a ball on the right side of the infield.
As it is the Fourth of July series, fireworks were in order, and were provided by Robbie Grossman. Kyle Gibson was standing on third, Eddie Rosario on second, and Brian Dozier was on first, after three straight singles. Grossman hit a deep ball to center field, and spotted Gibson a four run lead.
It wouldn’t be the Twins though, if they didn’t cough runs back up. Gibson got himself into a jam in the very next inning. He gave up three runs, but the Twins held onto the slimmest of leads.
That was literally the end of the scoring for either side until the ninth. The following pitchers all pitched a scoreless outing: Addison Reed, Taylor Rogers, Zach Duke, Trevor Hildenberger. Did you see that coming? I didn’t. Sadly, Fernando Rodney wasn’t able to keep the efforts going, blowing the save, and giving up one run in the ninth. Three singles and a sac fly did the damage.
Welcome to extra inning baseball. As if the Twins didn’t already have a burnt out bullpen. Fortunately, newcomer Zack Littell was standing by. The new arm in the pen earned one out before walking in the go-ahead run. How very twinsy.
STUDS
Robbie Grossman 2-5, GRAND SLAM!!!
Willians Astudillo 2-4
Max Kepler 2-4
DUDS
Jorge Polanco 0-4
Bobby Wilson 0-4
Fernando Rodney 1 IP, 1 ER
Zach Littell .1 IP, 1ER
Roll Call
| # | Commenter | # Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joel Hernandez | 34 |
| 2 | Asthix | 20 |
| 3 | TJ Gorsegner | 15 |
| 4 | montanatwinsfan | 13 |
| 5 | Pau from the sky-tinted water | 12 |
| 6 | TeamCrazyMatt | 11 |
| 7 | MNWildcat | 7 |
| 8 | SooFoo Fan | 5 |
| 9 | Mrmumph | 4 |
| 10 | kenzertz | 4 |
| 11 | Name-Game | 3 |
| 12 | mefoolonhill | 3 |
| 13 | Daniel Carlson | 3 |
| 14 | a null entry | 3 |
| 15 | Can't Read Good | 3 |
| 16 | Imakesandwichesforaliving | 3 |
| 17 | EmeraldTwinkie | 2 |
| 18 | RandyRatio84 | 2 |
| 19 | myjah | 2 |
| 20 | Lestermilk | 2 |
| 21 | TwinsDingers | 2 |
| 22 | jthunder93 | 1 |
| 23 | TawnyFroggy | 1 |
COTG
At risk of angering a lessor deity, It has to be awarded to Joel today. Nobody was around in the game thread, and he had the explanation:
Joel Hernandez: They have been traded to the Diamondbacks