Twins 7, Rangers 4: Late stress, no sweat

A very strong performance by Michael Pineda, aided by a resurgent offense and absolute domination from Taylor Rogers, led to a 7-4 win and an early series victory against the Texas Rangers.

With the All-Star Break coming up, Cleveland rearing their head in the rearview mirror, and the team coming off a month where they had only a .556 winning percentage, it’s been nice to see some life in Minnesota’s bats this weekend.

The Twins put together a trio of multi-run innings. In the third, Jason Castro brought one home with a sac fly, and Byron Buxton singled home two. In the fourth, a swinging bunt with a man on third lent an RBI to Jonathan Schoop, and a single gave Castro his second RBI of the night. In the eighth, Marwin Gonzalez homered, and Castro doubled home another run.

While this was happening, Pineda was having his best start of the year.

Six innings, just one run allowed on five hits, and nine strikeouts. Other than an Elvis Andrus homer and a bases-loaded jam in the third, it was smooth sailing for Pineda, who gets to enjoy a few off days knowing that he’s still got it.

The two “dud” moments of the game involved LaMonte Wade, Jr. and Tyler Duffey. Wade tried to make a play on the Andrus homer and jammed his wrist against the fence; he had to come out of the game. Duffey entered this game in the seventh and quickly gave up three runs in less than an inning of work, letting Texas right back into the game.

However, Duffman’s early exit allowed for one heck of a finish by closer Taylor Rogers. Taking the torch from the “OG” closers, Rogers came in with two down in the seventh and finished out the rest of the game, striking out five along the way in 2.1 perfect innings.

The series — and the first “half” — conclude tomorrow afternoon.

STUDS:

SP Michael Pineda (6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K)

CL Taylor Rogers (2.1 IP, 5 K)

C Jason Castro (2-for-3, 3 RBI)

DUDS:

NO DUDS! TWINS WIN!

ROBOT ROLL CALL: