A six-run lead slowly unraveled and finally fell apart for the Twins on Sunday after reliever Alex Colome served up a three-run home run, turning a 6-5 Twins lead into an 8-6 Seattle Mariners win.
Watching the game on TV, it appeared that no matter what Colome threw, Mariner hitters were going to put the ball in play. And so they did, connecting for single, single, home run, fly out and one more single before Colome’s day was done. He was tagged with the loss and blown save, his second blown save of the young season.
Twins starter Matt Shoemaker pitched well (he struck out seven) until the top of the sixth inning when he allowed four runs on two dingers, including a three-run home run that ended his day. No surprise, his frustration got the best of him and he took it out on the home plate umpire who ejected him from the game for arguing balls and strikes.
The Twins scored six runs on eight hits, all of which was produced by the top of the batting order, including Byron Buxton who continues to blast the baseball. He went 3-for-4 and hit his fifth home run of the season. Coming into Sunday’s game he was leading the majors in slugging percentage, according to MLB.com. The only problem is that the bottom of the order — Miguel Sano, Jake Cave, Ryan Jeffers and Andrelton Simmons — went a combined 0-for-15 at the plate.
J.A. Happ gets the ball Monday against the red-hot Boston Red Sox, while the Twins will face old friend, Martin Perez. I wouldn’t be surprised if Monday’s game is a slugfest.
Extra innings…
-It was a disappointing series against the M’s after it appeared the Twins were going to steamroll the club following Thursday’s 10-2 win. Instead, they lost in extra innings on Saturday and coughed up a six-run lead Sunday. The Twins are already 0-3 when they play free baseball.
-Up next, the Twins stay at home to play four games against the Red Sox, then they hit the road to play the Angels and Athletics.
-The Twins are now 5-4 in the AL Central, looking up at the Royals and Indians.