The banged-up #MNTwins tried to win the series against the Cleveland Indians today.
They had RHP Randy Dobnak start and then followed with LHP Devin Smeltzer with RHP Kyle Gibson still on the IL and they were pitching against RHP Mike Clevinger who’s been pitching very well since the end of June, going 9-0 in his 12 starts with a 1.93 ERA & a 1.04 WHIP with 101 strikeouts in 74.2 innings so…uhh…yeah.
Dobnak gave up 3 hits & 2 runs on a Franmil Reyes single after he walked Yasiel Puig and Jason Kipnis doubled (22) in the 2nd inning. LHP Devin Smeltzer replaced him to start the 3rd inning and allowed a 2-out 1st-pitch HR to Carlos Santana. 3-0 Cleveland.
Mike Clevinger didn’t allow a hit until Mitch Garver led off the bottom of the 4th inning with his 29th HR of the season. Willians Astudillo hit a 2-out ground rule double (8) but Luis Arraez grounded out to first to ending the inning.. 3-1 Cleveland.
Francisco Lindor then hit his 29th HR of the season in the top of the 5th to get the run the Twins scored right back. It was a no-doubter as LF Eddie Rosario didn’t even move when it was hit. 4-1 Cleveland.
RHP Cody Stashak replaced Smeltzer to begin the 7th inning. He walked the first batter he faced then Lindor doubled (36) down the right field line. Oscar Mercado hit a sacrifice fly to put the Indians up 5-1.
In the bottom of the 7th, Luis Arraez hit a 1-out single that was followed by Ehire Adrianza’s 8th double of the season and that brought up OF LaMonte Wade who was still looking for his 1st MLB Hit even though he was getting walks, including 2 in his 1st 2 plate appearances. CLE Manager Terry Francona started his bullpenning with RHP Nick Wiigren. Wade hit an 0-1 pitch hard to the left of 2B Jason Kipnis who got to it but couldn’t field it cleanly. Luis Arraez scored from 3rd and the Twins were within 3. Schoop walked to load the bases so Rocco used C.J. Cron to pinch-hit for Ian Miller, who came in for Max Kepler after the 1st inning. Cron struck out so but Garver was up next. He struck out to end the inning. DOH!
Just acquired OF Ryan LaMarre replaced Cron, playing center field.
RHP Fernando Romero pitched the final 1.2 innings and looked pretty good, allowing just 2 hits & an intentional walk while striking out 2.
Cleveland LHP Oliver Perez set the Twins down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 8th so it was the 9th or nothing.
Luis Arraez was robbed of 2 extra-base hits today. He hit a flyball over the head of LF Greg Allen but he somehow reached out with his glove and made the catch for the 1st out.
Ehire Adrianza also flew out to left field so rookie LaMonte Wade, Jr had to try to extend the game, fresh off his #1stMLBHit. He ended up getting hit by a pitch. Jonathan Schoop then walked for a 2nd time. That brought up CF Ryan LaMarre. He battled to a full count then watched strike 3 end the game! NOOOOO!!!!
I was at the game and wondering why they wouldn’t pinch-hit Miguel Sano in that spot but found out later he was not available.
So…the Minnesota Twins have tomorrow off before starting a 3-game series against former teammate Brian Dozier & the Washington Nationals.
The pitchers are already listed for all 3 games. It will be RHP Jose Berrios on Tuesday, LHP Martin Perez on Wednesday and RHP Kyle Gibson is the pitcher listed so they must already know he’ll be able to come off the 10-Day Injured List.
That’s good news after all the bad things that have happened over the past 3 days, Cruz & Cave being removed on Friday, the Michael Pineda news yesterday and Max Kepler leaving today’s game with what was called an injured chest.
Buxton is going to see a shoulder specialist in California and he might need season-ending shoulder surgery.
The saying is Next Man Up but you usually know who that next man is. Who knew Ryan LaMarre would be back on this team a couple days ago.
It will be interesting to see how this team plays these last 19 games. The Clinch number is still 14! After the 3-game series vs Washington, they head to Cleveland for 3 then play the last 13 against the Chicago White Sox (4 at home), the Kansas City Royals (6 total (3 Home, 3 Road) & Detroit Tigers (3 Road).
Cleveland heads to LA for 3 then plays 9 straight at home (3 vs MIN, 3 vs DET, 3 vs PHI) and finishes with 6 road games against CWS & WSH.
