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Today’s lineups:
MIN: Max Kepler RF, Jorge Polanco SS, Mitch Garver C, Miguel Sano 1B, Eddie Rosario LF, Nelson Cruz DH, Luis Arraez 2B, Marwin Gonzalez 3B, Byron Buxton CF, Lewis Thorpe P
LAA: Andrelton Simmons SS, Mike Trout CF, Anthony Rendon 3B, Shohei Ohtani RF, Justin Upton LF, Jo Adell DH, David Fletcher 2B, Albert PujolsC 1B, Max Stassi C, Cam Bedrosian P
The Twins trailed for most of this one, but there is a reason they play the full game. Lewis Thorpe had a decent outing, and the batters did the rest.
As an aside, has anyone binge watched Upload yet? It dropped the other day on Amazon Prime, and the wife and I spent all afternoon yesterday watching it. It’s got promise. Anyway, that’s what typing “The Angels” is making me think of.
The Angels scored first today. Their leadoff batter, Simmons, ended up crossing the plate. He singled to get on board, and moved to second with a Mike Trout walk. A pitcher’s best friend helped ease the pressure on Thorpe, but put Simmons on third with two out. Ohtani brought him in with a single, and then Justin Upton struck out, ending the inning.
In the top of the second, Miguel Sano went down swinging, then opener Cam Bedrosian gave way to bulk pitcher Dylan Bundy, who gave the Twins back a run by walking Eddie Rosario and then giving up a flyball double to Nelson Cruz.
Jo Adell put the Angels back into the lead by leading off the bottom of the second with a massive, massive 464-foot home run. After that, both pitchers pretty much cruised through with very little drama, although both squads did end up leaving three men in scoring position.
Nelson Cruz hit a double in the fourth, and was removed from the game after suffering an injury on the basepaths, with Ehire Adrianza taking his place at second.
Sergio Romo replaced Lewis Thorpe in the sixth, and continued into the seventh. He loaded the bases in the latter inning with a leadoff double by Max Stassi, and intentional walk to Mike Trout, and an unintentional walk to Anthony Rendon. Shohei Ohtani hit a single that brought in Stassi, but Max Kepler was able to gun down Trout at the plate for the second out, and Zack Littell induced a flyout to end the inning from the next batter.
In the top of the eighth, with a two run lead, the Angels made a couple defensive substitutions—Dustin Peterson took over in left field, and Brian Goodwin took over in right. It didn’t end up mattering. Max Kepler hit a leadoff solo bomba against Kyle Keller to cut the deficit to one. Polanco grounded out, and then Keller exited the game and Hansel Robles came in.
Mitch Garver singled and Eddie Rosario walked, putting a runner in scoring position for Adrianza, who hit a game-tying single to center. Luis Arraez then brought in the go-ahead man, with a line-drive single to shallow left field.
The rest of the game was once again, drama free. Zack Littell sat down the side in order in the eighth, and Taylor Rogers allowed only one single on his way to save number five.
Notes
- Zack Littell gets his second win of the season.
- Byron Buxton stole his fifth base of the year. Luis Arraez was caught stealing, for the first time.
- Nelson Cruz was diagnosed with hamstring tightness, he’s day-to-day, and should be back to full health in around four or five days. He could theoretically play, but will probably get an extra day off or two.
- Drew Butera announced he will retire after the season, so we’ll have to do something nice for him when the Rockies come through town.
STUDS:
Lewis Thorpe: 5.1 IP, 2 runs
Ehire Adrianza: 1-2, RBI
Nelson Cruz: 2-2, RBI, double
Luis Arraez: 2-4, RBI
DUDS:
No Duds, Twins win!!!
Tomorrow: The Twins head home to face the Giants with AL rules. First Pitch 6:40 central. (Look for a recap around 10pm)