Twins 2, Red Sox 1: Department of Defense

The Twins came into tonight looking to pick up another series win on the road against the Boston Red Sox. The offense was coming off of a slow performance yesterday, and the inconsistent Martin Perez was taking the mound for the Twins.

Perez had an excellent start to the game, retiring the first nine batters in order. However, the offense started off as cold as Perez did hot, and Mookie Betts once again decided to do bad things to the Twins. He opened the scoring with a solo shot off Pesky’s Pole in the fourth inning. Perez was able to get back on track after the hiccup, however, and would go 6.0 innings while allowing just two hits and two walks, with one earned run.

The Twins offense was truly grinding today, with no extra base hits. However, they did coax an astounding 9 walks out of the Boston pitchers, and were able to piranha their way to 2 runs. Miguel Sano scored in the 5th on a double play ball off the bat of C.J. Cron, and then would score again in the 7th on a pinch-hit single by the notorious Willians Astudillo. The Twins would wind up with only 2 hits, but that would be enough for tonight.

The Twins bullpen was excellent tonight, as Trevor May, Tyler Duffey, Sergio Romo, and Taylor Rogers went a combined 3.0 innings while allowing only 2 hits, no walks, and 3 strikeouts. However, the 9th did have some drama.

Romo allowed a Xander Bogaerts single after getting the Twins-killer Betts to pop out. After being replaced by Rogers, Bogaerts was out on a force play at 2nd base, bringing up slugger J.D. Martinez with a man on first and two outs. Martinez launched a ball deep into left field, caroming off the Green Monster for a hard-hit double. However, Eddie Rosario played the ball perfectly off the bounce and let one fly from his loose cannon. The oft-maligned wild thrower beat Rafael Devers to the plate by three steps and Jason Castro applied the tag to end the game in thrilling fashion.

The Twins defense was, uncharacteristically, excellent today (just as the offense was uncharacteristically cold). Aside from the Rosario walk-off laser, Miguel Sano made an excellent bare-handed play and Jake Cave made a diving catch in center. The only error on the day was charged to Martin Perez.

To top it all off, Cleveland lost today, pushing the Twins’ lead back to 6.5 games in the Central. Cleveland also slipped out of their wild card spot, and the Twins’ magic number to clinch is 16. They are in great position to put Cleveland away during a three-game series at Target Field this weekend.

Studs

All of the Pitchers

Willians Astudillo: 1-1, 1 RBI

Miguel Sano: 0-1, 2 R, 3 BB

Mitch Garver: 0-1, 3 BB

Eddie Rosario: That throw, tho

Duds

Cleveland lol

ROBOT ROLL CALL