The Twins survived Shohei Ohtani, tied the game in the 7th inning and then watched it all slip away in the bottom of the ninth after the Angels’ Zack Cosart hit a walk-off RBI single to beat the Twins, 2-1. The Twins had a chance to take the series from the Halos, but wound up splitting the four-game set after Ehire Adrianza was thrown out at home in the top of the ninth inning.
The Twins remain two games under .500 at 17-19 this season, 1.5 games back of the league-leading Cleveland Indians. However, they finished their 10-game road trip at 7-3.
Despite struggling in spring training, Ohtani has since shown that he can hit and pitch. On Sunday, he struck out 11 in six-plus innings. But once he exited game, the Twins tied the game at 1-1. The Angels were held to one run, too, because the Twins’ Fernando Romero struck out six in five innings. The one run was his first earned run of the season. His ERA rose to 0.54 from 0.00.
But Romero also issued three walks so he was done after 92 pitches. Once again, the Twins leaned on their bullpen and lefty Zach Duke was called on to close out the game. He hit a batter, who later came around to score on the walk-off hit. Ballgame.
Duke in for 3rd straight day for 1st time this year. Hits Young on 0-2 curve to start the 9th.
— Mike Berardino (@MikeBerardino) May 13, 2018
Extra innings…
-The Twins head home to play a make up game Monday versus the Seattle Mariners, followed by a visit from the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers.
-Jake Odorizzi gets the ball Monday.