Twins 8, White Sox 3: Gibson finishes strong

This game saw twelve straight half-innings of scoreless baseball when the score was already 8-1, which should inform you well enough how uneventful tonight’s contest was. Still, it was a decisive victory for the Twins, who came away with an 8-3 victory, and gave starter Kyle Gibson a strong note to end his year on.

After a lengthy first inning where a single from Omar Narvaez and a double from Jake Cave brought home three combined runs, the Twins knocked Carlos Rodon out of the game with a busy second inning. Johnny Field led off with a double, Chris Gimenez walked, and Joe Mauer singled in a run to make it 3-1 Twins.

Jorge Polanco singled in another run, then Willians Astudillo doubled home another. After walking Robbie Grossman to load the bases, Jeanmar Gomez entered in relief. He didn’t fare much better, walking Tyler Austin to force home another run.

Jake Cave brought home another tally with a sacrifice fly (strikingly, the first out of the inning), and the frame ended shortly thereafter, but not before Johnny Field singled in a run with his second hit of the inning.

From that point on, the game progressed quietly. As mentioned, Gibson threw six strong innings, striking out seven hitters, and allowing just three hits. Trevor Hildenberger and Gabriel Moya pitched scoreless innings.

On Chicago’s side of the ball, Jeanmar Gomez threw three frames without being charged for a run, and the quintessential duo of Aaron Bummer and Thyago Vieira tossed a pair of shutout innings each.

Things wouldn’t heat up again until Matt Belisle gave up two runs in the ninth, but it was more of a light simmer than anything else, so don’t hold your breath.

Tomorrow afternoon, the year comes to a close! Hope to see everyone there.

Studs:

SP Kyle Gibson (7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K)

DH Joe Mauer (2-for-4, 2 R, RBI, BB)

SS Jorge Polanco (3-for-5, 2 R, RBI)

CF Jake Cave (1-for-4, 3 RBI)

LF Johnny Field (2-for-4, R, RBI)

Duds:

NO DUDS! TWINS WIN! TWINS WIN!

Robot Roll Call: