If the Minnesota Twins wanted any chance at winning the American League Central for a second season in a row, a win tonight against the Central-leading Chicago White Sox was necessary. After last night’s disappointing game, it would be a great pick-me-up if the Bomba Squad were to pull off a victory.
Just like any other outing, Twins starter Randy Dobnak enjoyed having traffic on the base paths while pitching. The key was whether he’d be able to prevent the runners from scoring. Dobstache allowed a single to Tim Anderson before inducing two flyouts. However, back-to-back singles was able to get Anderson around the bases to plate the first run of the game. A strikeout of James McCann concluded that threat.
Traffic on for the second? Yep, but Dobber got Yoan Moncada to strike out swinging with two runners on to shut down that danger.
Traffic on for the third? Yep, and this time, Chicago added on some additional runs, including an RBI double from McCann and a two-RBI single from Luis Robert. A strikeout and groundout prevented any additional runs from scoring.
No traffic for the fourth! But Dobstache allowed a single by Jose Abreu, a line-out by Eloy Jimenez, and then hit McCann with a pitch before being pulled from the game in favor of Tyler Clippard.
On the other side, Dane Dunning was able to hold the Twins batters to two runs through seven innings. Byron Buxton led off the third inning with what was another legitimate inside-the-park home run, but it actually counted this time! And it was in 14.5 seconds!
Try telling us this ball is lodged. #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/2A0pd6Wr6q
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) September 16, 2020
Buck led off the top of the fifth with a single and was able to advance to second an third thanks to a wild pitch and a passed ball. Ryan Jeffers grounded into a 4-3 putout and brought Buxton in. The score at that point was 4-2 in favor of the home team.
The White Sox added two more runs, both on solo homers and one occurring each in the sixth and seventh innings. Anderson took a Tyler Clippard changeup to left field while McCann put a full-count slider from Jorge Alcala into the left field stands as well. Alcala went on to pitch a scoreless eighth.
Southpaw Jace Fry, bullpen mate Matt Foster, and home plate umpire Will Little kept the Twins batters from any further chances of scoring.
White Sox 6, Twins 2
W: Dunning (2-0)
L: Dobnak (6-4)
These two teams square off once again tomorrow - same time (710p Central), same place (the south side of Chicago). The White Sox will send out Lucas Giolito (4-2, 3.43 ERA/2.75 FIP). The Twins will go with T. B. Determined, which is rumored to be Jake Odorizzi making a return from his second trip to the Injured List.
THIS AND THAT
- Byron Buxton’s inside-the-park home run is the third of his career. He’s now the only active player to have three of those to his name. (per MLB.com’s Do-Hyoung Park)
- Rocco Baldelli and Nelson Cruz were both ejected after the conclusion of the top of the seventh inning for arguing balls and strikes. It is the third career ejection for each individual.
- Danny “Chick-fil-A” Gladden better write a thank-you note to Travis Blankenhorn. The rookie’s first MLB hit was a double in the ninth inning. Congrats, Travis!
- This umpiring crew is really, really bad.
- But the offense was quiet tonight again: 6 LOB, 0-5 with runners in scoring position.
STUDS
- Byron Buxton: 2-4, 2 R, RBI, HR
- Travis Blankenhorn: first MLB hit tonight!
duds
- Randy Dobnak: 4.1 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
- Batters not named Byron Buxton: 2-29, 2 H, 2 RBI, 3 BB, 11 K
COMMENT OF THE GAME THREAD
Reactions to the inside-the-park home run because we’re salty and rightfully so.
FANS THAT BELIEVE THIS IS THE SECOND GAME IN A ROW WITH A BUXTON INSIDE-THE-PARK HOME RUN
# | Commenter | # Comments |
---|---|---|
1 | Joefishy | 44 |
2 | gintzer | 33 |
3 | Imakesandwichesforaliving | 18 |
4 | TJ Gorsegner | 18 |
5 | 2wins87 | 15 |
6 | mefoolonhill | 10 |
7 | Joel Hernandez | 9 |
8 | Brandon Brooks | 6 |
9 | doomsdayshark | 5 |
10 | James Fillmore | 4 |
11 | So Cal Vike | 2 |
12 | PiranhaSquad | 1 |
13 | sioux1337 | 1 |
14 | trigonzobob | 1 |
Thank you for joining tonight!