To quote Max Kepler, the Twins “redemptified” themselves in a huge way on Friday after Thursday’s blowout loss to the Boston Red Sox. In that game, the No. 1 offense and No. 15 pitching staff in the American League played their roles to perfection as the Sox banged out 17 hits and scored 13 runs to crush the Twins.
Ramirez lines out. Twins win 2-1. Kintzler escapes with a save. Gibson was excellent. Wow
— LaVelle E. Neal III (@LaVelleNeal) July 23, 2016
But the Twins righted the ship on Friday with, of all things, pitching. Kyle Gibson easily had his best start of the year, limiting the Red Sox to two hits over eight innings. He gave up a solo shot to Mookie Betts and then pitched a clean slate the rest of the way. Brandon Kintzler recorded his seventh save.
Extra innings…
-Brian Dozier continues to lead the Twins in home runs after he hit his 17th on Friday. The home run was one of three hits for Dozier.
-Miguel Sano also had three hits on Friday, including his 11th double of the season. Hate to mention this, but he also committed his 11th error of the season.
-The Twins turned three double plays, including a game-saving twin killing in the bottom of the ninth.
-Boston’s David Ortiz, who started his MLB career with the Twins, went hitless in four at bats on Friday. That was not the case on Thursday when he had three hits, including his 24th home run, and drove in four runs. In his career against the Twins, Oritz has hit .330 with 91 hits, 22 doubles, 21 home runs and 56 RBIs, according to Baseball-Reference.com.
-Reliever Neil Ramirez, who was claimed off waivers by the Twins earlier this year, has been sent to Triple-A Rochester to make way for Buddy Boshers. Ramirez had struggled, pitching with an ERA of more than 6.00.
-Isn’t it time for Twins’ prospect Jose Berrios to get recalled to the Twins? According to MLB.com, Berrios “gave up one run on three hits in eight frames for Triple-A Rochester and has allowed just one earned run over his last 14 innings. He’s also struck out nine in each of his last two outings.”
-Ricky Nolasco gets the ball on Saturday.
Wow. Miguel Sano just dropped a routine pop fly on the infield. Don't see that very often. Would've ended the eighth.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) July 23, 2016
Can't win them all. But losing a 2-1 game against the AL's worst team after loading the bases with nobody out in the 9th is a sad way to go.
— Red (@SurvivingGrady) July 23, 2016