Minnsota Twins lose 3-2 in Chicago. White Sox come back after early 2-run deficit.
Is Joe Mauer back?
Joe worked an at-bat to a full count and drove a pitch to left center field for a double. Some would call that a “Patented Joe Mauer Double!” That was another hit with Runners In Scoring Position (RISP) that scored Hunter from 1st base in the first inning. Mauer then steals 3rd base because Jeff Samardzija never looked at him before throwing the pitch. That’s just good awareness from a baserunner and I’m sure is something Molitor has pointed out to his players. It shows the Twins are ever aware of areas they can take advantage of offensively.
Joe ended up striking out his next 2 at-bats and swinging at the 1st pitch in the 9th against closer David Robertson to ground out to 1st base. Swinging at the first pitch is very rare for Joe. 10 times out of 170 plate appearances this season according to baseball-reference. I doubt that includes first pitches he swung at and missed.
So “back” is probably not a good word to describe Joe Mauer yet? That, of course, could depend on what you think is “back” to. I think of “back” as getting back to the hitter we’ve all seen Mauer be. Is that still possible?
Defense Changes Games
In the first inning, Adam Eaton doesn’t get a good read of a ball hit by Torii Hunter and it ends up falling for a hit. The next Twins batter, Mauer, hits a double to the gap that scores Hunter. Then Mauer, at 2nd base, takes advantage of the pitcher by stealing 3rd base. The next batter, Plouffe, hit a sac fly to right center that brings Mauer in from 3rd base. The next batter flew out to right field to end the inning. Two runs score because of two bad defensive plays.
On the other hand, the Twins or, at least, one Twin, stopped 2 runs from scoring with one defensive play. Aaron Hicks’ spectacular diving catch stops at least one run from scoring and probably two if that ball gets past Hicks.
Aaron Hicks makes one of the greatest catches you will ever see!
In the 4th inning, J.B. Shuck hits a soft dribbler that just goes under Hughes’ glove for a single. If that play is made, the inning is over but it isn’t made and the next batter, Geovany Soto hits a double down the line that ties the game at 2.
Pitching Can Change Games Even More
Jeff Samardzija gave up 2 runs on 2 hits and had to throw 28 pitching in the first inning. After that 1st inning, he went the next 7 innings giving up only 1 hit on 90 pitches striking out 9 and walking 1 batter. David Robertson followed that with a smooth 9th to close out a 3-2 comeback win.
Phil Hughes was taken out after the 7th with 89 pitches because two left-handed hitters were coming up to face him so Paul Molitor brought in Aaron Thompson, lefty vs lefty matchup. Thompson got LaRoche but Gordan Beckham pinch-hit for Conor Gillaspie and he was walked in 4 pitches. He came around to be the winning run. Would you rather Phil Hughes face the left-handed hitters instead of Thompson? I’m not saying it was the wrong move, just asking what you would do. I thought for sure Hughes was coming out for the 8th.
The bullpen couldn’t hold the game and give the Twins offense a chance to win.
Those are my ‘Takes from the game. What do you think? After all, it is….
