Twins 4, Red Sox 3: 17 innings is too many innings.

I was going to do some stupid half-comedy bit for the recap tonight. It just doesn’t feel appropriate anymore. This game was uncomfortably long, but the recap will be short and sweet.

In a classic pitchers’ duel. Michael Pineda and David Price swapped zeros through three, and each gave up a run in the fourth. For the Red Sox, Mookie Betts walked, stole second, and then scored on a single. Eddie Rosario doubled in the home half, and scored on a C.J. Cron single.

Price was pulled in the top of the sixth, and Pineda was lifted after throwing six full innings. They left a game tied at one to one.

The bullpens also had one hell of a battle. Ryne Harper relieved Pineda and gave up a solo home run to Rafael Devers. The Twins got one back in the 8th. Max Kepler, who came into the game in relief of Marwin Gonzalez, singled to score Mitch Garver. Tie game again, for many more innings.

Betts and Kepler swapped solo shots again in the 13th, pushing the game to three each, but not ending it. The 14th stopped some hearts, when Matt Magill loaded the bases before working out of the jam.

In the 15th, Jake Cave and Eddie Rosario had a nasty collision on a short fly. Fortunately, both stayed in the game, as the Twins were down to just Jason Castro on the bench. Zack Littell came in for the 16th. He was officially the last reliever. Nelson Cruz put an empty gatorade jug on his head like it was a pope-hat.

This game was the same story we’ve seen a lot lately. Pineda turned in a very good performance, but the Twins offense forgot to show up (or they faced a really good pitcher. You decide.) The bullpen didn’t bullpen. Until they did. This thing got long. The game thread got weird. Things happened I’ll never unsee. You’re all awesome for sticking it out.

Zack Littell picked up the win. Someone named Brian Johnson got the loss for Boston. I think he might be the guy from AC/DC. Five hours and 45 minutes after this one started, the Twins narrowly avoided their first three-game losing streak of the year. They’ll probably call up a pitcher or two tomorrow. We’ll have more great content here in just a few hours. See you then.

Studs

Michael Pineda: 6.0 IP, 5 K, 1 BB, 1 ER

Max Kepler: 3-5, BB, HR, AND THE WALK OFF WINNER!!!

Eddie Rosario 4-8. 3 doubles, run scored

Zack Littell Matt Magill, Blake Parker, Tyler Duffey, Trevor May, Taylor Rogers: 9.0 combined IP, 0 ER

Duds

Miguel Sano: 0-7, 5K

Jake Cave: 0-5

Literally every Twins hitter except Kepler and Rosario

Playing a 17 inning game on a weeknight.

COTG

Brandon, this is your fault. Notice the time stamp folks?

Robot Roll Call