Twins fans who are old enough to remember reliever Ron Davis likely had a debilitating flashback on Thursday after watching closer Fernando Rodney serve up a walk-off home run to Adam Jones and the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles prevailed 3-2 in 11 innings and the Twins lost on Opening Day for the ninth time in 10 years.
Count me among those who grew up watching Davis and his tendency to serve up walk-off home runs at the worst possible moments. And I have absolutely no interest in reliving that experience this season.
Good thing they play a lot of games in baseball
— Phil Mackey (@PhilMackey) March 29, 2018
Yes, it was Game 1 of a long season; yes, it’s April; yes, Rodney will probably pitch well enough this season. But well enough isn’t going to do it for me, particularly if he gives up an ill-timed home run to miss the playoffs, or during the playoffs, or even worse: during the World Series. Cut him loose, as far as I’m concerned, and replace him with another reliever, such as Fernando Romero or Zack Littell, two pitchers who generated some buzz during spring training. Romero will start the season at Triple-A Rochester, while Littell has been sent to Double-A ball.
Other than the way the game ended Monday, there was a lot to like. Starter Jake Odorizzi struck out seven over six-plus innings and Addison Reed pitched well, too. Reliever Zach Duke struck out four in one inning, but also threw two wild pitches and gave up two runs late in the game.
Interesting decision here. Molitor is pinch-hitting Robbie Grossman for Byron Buxton in the ninth with the bases loaded
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) March 29, 2018
But the Twins rallied to tie the game. Max Kepler drew an 11-pitch walk, and then manager Paul Molitor made a move that caused a stir on social media. Instead of letting Byron Buxton hit, Molitor called on Robbie Grossman to pinch hit for him and he came through with a bloop single to tie the game. Then Rodney gave it all away…
There it goes. Fernando Rodney gives up a walk-off homer to Adam Jones.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) March 29, 2018
Extra innings…
-Ryan LaMarre, who hit better than .400 during spring training, won a spot on the Twins and appeared in Monday’s game as a pinch-runner for Logan Morrison. He also singled in the game.
-Kyle Gibson gets the ball on Saturday.