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Today’s lineups:
MIN: Max Kepler RF, Jorge Polanco SS, Luis Arraez 2B, Miguel Sano 1B, Eddie Rosario LF, Josh Donaldson 3B, Nelson Cruz DH, Alex Avila C, Byron Buxton CF, Devin Smeltzer P
BAL: Denard Span LF, Rio Ruiz 3B, Trey Mancini DH, Renato Nunez 1B, Anthony Santander RF, Hanser Alberto 2B, Cedric Mullins CF, Jose Iglesias SS, Chance Sisco C
The Twins had two decent opportunities to come from behind in this game. Both opportunities were turned around by the pitcher’s best friend.
In the fifth inning, the Twins were down 4-0. Miguel Sano and Eddie Rosario both drew walks to start the inning, and Josh Donaldson loaded the bases with a single. Sano scored on a GIDP by Nelson Cruz, but two out and a man at third is a very different situation than no outs and bases loaded. Alex Avila brought Rosario home on another single, before Buxton’s fielder’s choice ended the inning.
In the eighth, Buxton singled to open the frame, but was quickly erased when Max Kepler hit into a 4-6-3 double play. The Twins were down two runs at the time—a successful trip to the plate by Kepler would have put the tying run on with no outs. Instead Jorge Polanco struck out to end the inning.
Baltimore scored four of their five runs off starter Devin Smeltzer. In the second, a single, a double, and a sac fly lead to two runs. In the fourth it was two singles and a double. Their final tally, in the bottom of the eighth, came as Cody Stashak was haunted by a walk on a Santander double.
Notes
- Only six men stranded tonight for the Twins, somehow.
- Avila went 1-3 tonight, and raised his average to .133
STUDS:
I guess Miguel Sano: 1-3, BB, run scored.
DUDS:
Max Kepler: 0-4, GIDP, K
Nelson Cruz: 0-3, GIDP, K
Jorge Polanco: 0-4, K
Tomorrow: A visit to the Royals, first pitch at 7:05