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Today’s lineups:
MIN: Kepler RF, Polanco SS, Cruz DH, Sano 1B, Rosario LF, Donaldson 3B, Garver C, Arraez 2B, Cave CF, Berrios P
CLE: Allen CF, Ramirez 3B, Lindor SS, Reyes RF, Hernandez 2B, Santana 1B, Luplow LF, Arroyo DH, Perez C, Bieber P
The Spiders scored three in the first, and that was basically game over. They didn’t even need that many. Of course, they would add on. They got another run in the second, two in the sixth, and their final run in the seventh.
Basically, Cleveland caught the breaks, and the Twins didn’t—at least early. Berrios had an odd day, as he struck out 11 of the 17 men he got out, but he also allowed nine hits, six earned runs, and a walk. The worst part was that those hits seemed to fall together. Four in a row in the first plated three runs. Two more in the second for another point on the scoreboard. The walk was followed by a homer in the sixth by Roberto Perez of all people.
The Twins meanwhile, couldn’t get a rally going despite opportunities. Bieber gave up seven hits and a walk to the Twins, which with a couple of breaks, could have been enough to hang in the game—but instead the Spiders ace walked away with a shutout. It was that kind of frustrating game.
Both bullpens basically did their job. For the Twins, Matt Wisler gave up another run that didn’t matter, while Littell and Stashak both pitched clean appearances. For Cleveland, their pen combined for 2.2 innings of perfect baseball.
Notes
- 3:42. I don’t know who programmed this time-of-game part, but maybe it needs a patch.
- at 48 degrees at gametime, it almost felt like baseball weather.
- Marwin Gonzalez pinch hit for Luis Arraez in the 7th and finished the game at second.
STUDS:
Jorge Polanco: 2-4, 2 doubles
DUDS:
Nelson Cruz: 0-4, 3Ks 3LOB
Josh Donaldson: 0-4, 2Ks, 2 LOB
Luis Arraez: 0-2, 1K, 2LOB
Tomorrow: Twins try to take one back from Cleveland. First Pitch is 12:10 Central (look for the recap around five pm.)