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Today’s lineups:
MIN: Max Kepler RF, Jorge Polanco SS, Josh Donaldson 3B, Nelson Cruz DH, Luis Arraez 2B, Mitch Garver C, Marwin Gonzalez 1B, Jake Cave LF, Byron Buxton CF, Jake Odorizzi P
LAA: Andrelton Simmons SS, Anthony Rendon 3B, Mike Trout CF, Justin Upton LF, Tommy La Stella DH, Jason Castro C, Brian Goodwin RF, David Fletcher 2B, Albert Pujols 1B, Shohei Ohtani P
The Twins lit the fuse in the first inning, and never looked back. Max Kepler started it with a lead off single. Polanco and Donaldson both made quick outs, and then Nelson Cruz went boom. He hit a two-run homer to right-center and put the Twins up 2-0.
Jake Odorizzi had a wild first of his own. He walked the first two batters on eight total pitches. It took nine more pitches before Mike Trout drew one to load the bases. He managed to get the next three batters out—although a run did score on a Tommy La Stella fielder’s choice at second.
The Twins got the run back in the top of the second. Mitch Garver reached on a grounder that Simmons mishandled, and ended up on third when Marwin Gonzalez grounded out to first. Jake Cave hit a flyball that scored Garver, and then Buxton made the third out.
In the top of the fifth, the Twins added their final run. Max Kepler’s one-out double put a man in scoring position, and he gained third on a balk. Jorge Polanco brought him in with a flyout to center.
Jake Odorizzi pitched seven complete innings. Tyler Duffey pitched the eighth, and Taylor Rogers pitched the ninth with no drama. Rogers picks up his fourth save of the year.
Notes
- Luis Arraez hit an 8th inning double, but it made no difference on the scoreboard.
STUDS:
Max Kepler: 2-5, 2 runs scored
Luis Arraez: 3-4
Nelson Cruz 1-4, HR, 2 RBI
DUDS:
No Duds, Twins win!!!
Tomorrow: At Angels. 8:07pm (look for the recap around 11:00)