Twins 8, Tigers 2: Stephen Gonsalves picks up first MLB win

Twins opener Gabriel Moya got into a little trouble quickly by hitting a batter and allowing a single to Nick Castellanos . Thankfully he was able to get a double play and end the early scoring threat.

From there rookie Stephen Gonsalves took over and had by far his best MLB outing to date. He allowed only one hit and one walk over six innings pitched and cruised through the Tigers order 1-2-3 in five of those innings, while facing just four batters in 3rd. The prospect earned his first big league win, and looked the part of the future starting rotation piece we had hoped for.

A lackluster Twins lineup meanwhile had a great day, scrapping together 8 runs on 11 hits against a young Tigers pitching staff. Robbie Grossman continues to be an OBP machine in September, going 3-5 including two infield hits. Ehire Adrianza added a couple timely doubles and went 3-4 on the day. The switch-hitter oddly batted left-handed a couple times against Tigers LHP’s due to mild left shoulder soreness, but he looked comfortable making solid contact both times. Living legend Willians Astudillo also had a great day at the plate with his first MLB double and driving in 3 runs.

The Tigers finally got on the board in the 9th and spoiled a shutout against reliever Alan Busenitz. A walk, a single , and a double netted Detroit a couple runs. But it was too little and too late as the Twins sweep the Tigers and head to Oakland next for an odd 3 game west coast series starting Friday at 9PM CDT vs the A’s.

Studs:

• Stephen Gonsalves ( 1H, 1BB, 4 SO, 6 IP)
• Robbie Grossman (3-5, 2R)
• Ehire Adrianza (3-4, 2 2B, 3R)
• Willians Astudillo (2-4,3 RBI)
• Tyler Austin (2-3, 2R, 2RBI)

Duds:

No Duds Twins Win!! (Top of the batting order 1-14, Alan Busenitz)

Robot Roll Out the Barrels Roll Call:

Comments of the Game:

This long thread of foot puns