The Twins hit three home runs on Thursday, including a controversial blast from Josh Donaldson, but still fell 4-3 to the Chicago White Sox. The Sox took three of four games in the series and clinched a postseason berth for the first time since 2008.
You could tell throughout the series that the Twins were not happy about how balls and strikes were called. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli and Nelson Cruz were ejected earlier in the series, and third baseman, Donaldson, who almost got tossed out after chirping about a terrible strike call (the ball was clearly low and away) on Thursday, regrouped and hit the very next pitch into the stands.
But Donaldson couldn’t contain his anger, so when he crossed home plate, he kicked dirt onto the plate, then came back and did it again and was ejected. Unfortunately, that 3-2 Twins lead became a 4-3 loss.
Social media blew up after Donaldson was ejected following his home run. Most people seemed to praise him for his act of defiance, but not everyone, including Strib columnist, Patrick Reusse.
Josh Donaldson getting praised in Tweetland for being juvenile delinquent. Meanwhile, 3-2 lead at point of ejection becomes 4-3 loss, meaning it’s 90 percent Twins finish 2nd & take 13-game playoff losing streak to Yanks into best-of-3 vs. Yanks.
Yeah, Josh was brilliant.— Reusse (@Patrick_Reusse) September 17, 2020
No rest for the weary. Rich Hill gets the ball Friday against the Chicago Cubs.
Extra innings…
-Byron Buxton suddenly has become the most important Twins player on the roster. Buxton went 3-for-4 with two home runs, two runs scored and two RBI in Thursday’s game.
-Kenta Maeda had another no-decision start. He struck out eight over five innings, allowing two earned runs, both home runs. Reliever Tyler Clippard was tagged with the loss and Sergio Romo, the blown save.
-The Twins did win on Wednesday, 5-1. Eddie Rosario, Buxton and Miguel Sano hit home runs, and although starter, Jake Odorizzi, had to exit early because of an injury, the bullpen was sensational. Cody Stashak and Tyler Duffey made scoreless appearances, and Longview native, Trevor May, struck out the side on 17 pitches. They also beat White Sox ace, Lucas Giolito.
-I was right about Randy Dobnak. After the Twins activated Odorizzi, the Dobber was sent to the Twins’ alternate training site in St. Paul, the equivalent of being sent down to the minors.
-The Twins are so far 4-3 on this 10-game stretch of games against the Cleveland Indians, White Sox and Cubs.