Cleveland 5, Twins 2: Not our day

Twins starter/opener Randy Dobnak pitched a clean 1st inning, but surrendered 2 runs in the 2nd. A walk, a double, and then a Franmil Reyes single did the damage. With Devin Smeltzer in the game, Carlos Santana hit a solo shot to left to make it a 3-0 game in the 3rd.

After his first inning at-bat Max Kepler left the game with upper chest soreness (as in muscular), he’s day-to-day. The game was already going to be challenging with Kepler. Now the lineup was looking even worse against one of the best starters, Mike Clevinger.

The Twins finally got on the board in the 4th inning, thanks to Mitch Garver’s 29th home run, a solo shot to make it a 3-1 game.

Of course, Francisco Lindor answered that with a solo shot to left. One which Eddie Rosario didn’t even react to as the score was now 4-1.

Cody Stashak pitched the 7th, immediately allowing a walk and a double. Oscar Mercado made it a 5-1 game with a sacrifice fly. Ryne Harper came in to wrap up the inning with no further damage done.

Minnesota’s best chance to win came in the 7th inning. With 1 out, Luis Arraez singled, and Ehire Adrianza doubled. This got Clevinger out of the game, with Nick Wittgren entering. Lamonte Wade singled for his first MLB hit, driving in Arraez. Jonathan Schoop followed with a bases-filling walk. However, C.J. Cron and Mitch Garver struck out to end the threat.

The Twins would get the tying run to the plate in the 9th, in the form of Ryan LaMarre, but he struck out to end the game. With that the Twins lead in the division is back to 5.5 games. Cleveland arguably needed a sweep in this series, but didn’t get that. The Twins will face the Nationals for 3 games and then go to Cleveland for another important series.

Tomorrow is a much-needed off day, as we’re pretty banged up right now.

Studs:

Fernando Romero: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 SO

Lamonte Wade Jr.: 1-1, 2 BB, RBI

Duds:

This game.

Robot Roll Call: