The Twins scored first and the bullpen didn’t waver as the team took four of five games from the Detroit Tigers with a 6-2 win on Monday.
Starter Michael Pineda was once again impressive. He made a strong 2020 debut and was even better on Monday, giving the Twins seven innings with eight strikeouts. Reliever Cody Stashak pitched a scoreless inning, then Taylor Rogers, finally looking like the closer we know he can be, struck out the side on 14 pitches.
Run support came from the Twins’ youth movement in the form of five extra-base hits. Rookie LaMonte Wade Jr. hit a double, fellow rookie, Ryan Jeffers, hit a home run, Byron Buxton chipped in with one of each and Eddie Rosario hit a two-bagger and drove in three runs.
Jose Berrios gets the ball in Game 1 of Tuesday’s doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals, followed by Randy Dobnak in Game 2. With that pitching, the Twins have a good chance to take both games.
Extra innings…
-The Twins need to sweep the Cardinals so they’re in the best position to tackle the next 10 games against the Indians, White Sox and Cubs. Those games, I feel, will decide the outcome of the season for the Twins.
-Big Mike’s story is pretty amazing. He pitched well for the Twins last season, then suffers the professional disappointment of being suspended for using a banned substance, and then pitches this season like nothing ever happened. He hasn’t missed a beat. Pineda allowed two runs over seven innings with two walks and eight strikeouts on Monday. He’s now 1-0 on the season with a 2.77 ERA.
-The Twins are 18-5 at home this season.
-And then there was this:
What a moment this was—my favorite music artist and favorite athlete of all-time appearing together in a single shot. That would be @RealMeatLoaf and Kirby Puckett at the 94 All-Star Game. #MNTwins Anyone else have such a shot of their 2 faves? pic.twitter.com/46QcEfkSNf
— Ryan Glanzer (@rcglanzer) September 8, 2020