Mets 3, Twins 2: Comeback incomplete

After taking two out of three games from the Cleveland Indians, the Minnesota Twins looked to start off a nine-game home-stand on the right foot. A short two-game interleague series was first on the docket as the New York Mets came to Minneapolis.

Things unraveled pretty quickly for the Twins early in the game. In fact, Michael Pineda allowed back-to-back singles to start the game before notching a strikeout against Peta Alonso. A passed ball by Jason Castro allowed both runners to get into scoring position, which was followed by a sacrifice fly by Robinson Cano, scoring Jeff McNeil. A wild pitch by Pineda got Michael Conforto to third and former Twin Wilson Ramos reached on an error by Jonathan Schoop, which allowed Conforto to score. A fly out ended the disastrous inning with the Mets leading by two before the Bomba Squad could even get to the bat rack.

Steven Matz, starting the game for New York, was able to face only seven Twins batters in two innings. Schoop stepped in to start off the third inning and launched an opposite-field homer to get the home team on the board and to redeem himself for his error earlier in the game. The Twins came up in the bottom of the fourth and strung together a single by Eddie Rosario, fresh off the Injured List, and a double by C.J. Cron, setting up Max Kepler for a ground-out RBI, scoring Rosario and tying up the game at two a-piece. However, after an intentional walk of Schoop, the threat would end as Schoop and Cron were not on the same page about a double-steal, and Schoop was caught stealing.

The Mets would re-take the lead in the fifth as Amed Rosario would double and then move over to third on a wild pitch by Pineda. Conforto then took the first pitch of his at-bat and singled to left field, bringing in Rosario and giving the Mets a 3-2 lead. Big Mike would pitch a 1-2-3 sixth inning before his night ended. Even with a messy first inning, which was not entirely his fault, and a hiccup in the fifth, he turned in a quality start: 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R (1 ER), 3 K.

The Twins certainly tried to come back in the fifth inning. Matz was pulled after the fourth inning and the Mets bullpen, who has the second-worst ERA in the National League, kept the local nine at bay. Castro walked to lead off the inning, followed by Jorge Polanco being hit by a pitch. A double-play negated one runner, but Nelson Cruz walked and Rosario grounded out to throw water on the threat.

The later part of the game was a back-and-forth between bullpen arms. Zack Littell, Blake Parker, and Matt Magill kept the game close for the most part (Parker allowing a hit and two walks). The Mets strung together five scoreless innings until...

...the Twins made one last push in the bottom of the ninth. After a strikeout by Miguel Sano from Edwin Diaz, Schoop stepped into the batter’s box and left the game with an 0-2 count. Luis Arraez then took over the at-bat and DREW A WALK. Mitch Garver, who came into the game to take get rid of that wet blanket Castro, singled to left field to give the Twins a better chance to walk it off. After a fly out by Polanco, Marwin Gonzalez was able to leg out an infield single to load the bases for Cruz...

...who fouled out on a full count to end the game.

This series ends tomorrow with a matinee game showdown of Martin Perez for the Twins and Jason Vargas for the Mets. First pitch is slated for 12:10p Central.

Mets 3, Twins 2
W: Avilan (2-0)
L: Pineda (6-5)
S: Diaz (21)

Notes

• Jonathan Schoop left the game in the bottom of the ninth inning due to an undisclosed injury, maybe his rib cage? More roster moves?
• Did you order a 1-5-2-5 double play? The Twins served it to you.

STUDS

• Michael Pineda: 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R (1 ER), 3 K
• Jonathan Scoop in the batter’s box: 1-2, R, RBI, BB, HR
• Zack Littell, Blake Parker, and Matt Magill: 3 IP, H, 2 BB, 2 K
• Luis Arraez: 0-0, BB and taking over a fantastic plate appearance

duds

• Miguel Sano: 0-3, 2 K
• Jorge Polanco: 0-4
• Nelson Cruz: 0-4, BB, K

COMMENT OF THE GAMETHREAD

Uncle Lincoln graces us with a neat gif!!

A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF SOME OF THE COOLEST CATS IN THE HOUSE

Thanks for joining us in the game thread tonight!