Twins 2, Red Sox 1: Gibby!

Kyle Gibson tamed one of the most fearsome lineups in baseball and the Twins extended their unlikely road winning streak to four games, defeating the Boston Red Sox 2-1 at Fenway Park.

Gibson pitched eight glorious innings, giving up just one run on four hits. The only Boston run scored on a fielder’s damn choice in the second inning. Gibby walked two and struck out seven and probably improved any hypothetical trade value by one good-ass prospect, given the stage.

It appeared for the first two-thirds of the game that, as has become a theme this year, the Twins would waste Gibson’s extreme competence. They had two chances to put points on the board against Boston Red Sox starter and AC/DC lead singer Brian Johnson. In the first, three of the first four batters got a base hit, but Joe Mauer was meat at the plate courtesy Jackie Bradley, Jr.

In the sixth, with Eddie Rosario on first, Brian Dozier singled to center. Rosario alertly took third, with Rozier also alertly taking second on the throw. Unfortunately, Rosario flew too close to the sun and tried to score. He did not. I can’t find video as this posts, but rest assured, Scott Ullger would’ve been proud.

Per Gleems, the Twins lead the majors with 21 outs made at home plate. No other team has more than 17. That’s bad.

The Twins finally broke through in the 7th, tying the game at 1-1 on a double play grounder by Ehire Adrianza, plating Robbie Grossman. They took the lead when a Mitch Garver double with two outs in the 8th scored Brian Dozier.

Even though Gibson was already at 104 pitches, he came out to face Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi, and J.D. Martinez in the 8th. Grounder, grounder, strikeout. As mentioned, glorious.

Less glorious was Fernando Rodney, who went full Guardado in the 9th. Rodney loaded the bases with two outs, then ran the count to 3-0 on Bradley, the #9 hitter. His next three pitches were strike looking, strike looking, and strike swinging. Twins win.

Gibby!

STUDS: Gibby, Garver.

DUDS: Rosario, Mauer, Rodney.

ROBOT ROLL CALL:

See you tomorrow.