The Twins sent the Miami Marlins to their 100th loss of the season on Wednesday, rallying from a 3-0 deficit to win 8-3 and keep the team’s hopes alive for a possible playoff berth.
Unfortunately, the Tigers, Royals and Mariners all won, so the Twins remain two games back of the final wild card spot in the American League, while the M’s are a half-game behind Minnesota.
Wednesday’s win got off to the worst possible start after the Fish scored three quick runs in the top of the first inning. But Twins manager Rocco Baldelli did not hesitate and lifted Simeon Woods Richardson after one inning. He then ran deep on the bullpen, using six relievers to perfection as they struck out 14 Marlins and allowed no additional runs. There was even a Justin Topa sighting.
Reliever Louie Varland followed SWR and set the tone, fanning four batters across two-plus innings.
Twins radio voices Kris Atteberry and Dan Gladden picked up on the new energy that Louie brought to the game, and in a post-game interview, they asked Byron Buxton about it. Buck acknowledged the change, calling Varland a “dog.”
With the pitching stabilized, the Twins scored twice in the third inning, Buck tied the game with a solo shot (his 18th) in the fourth and then they blew it open with a five-run seventh. Trevor Larnach and Carlos Santana drove in five of the Twins’ eight runs.
David Festa gets the ball Thursday.
Extra innings…
-So you’re saying there’s a chance…
Well, there is, but the Twins need to get some help from the Royals. The Royals end the season against the Atlanta Braves, a team that’s a game out of the National League wild card race. I don’t see the Royals sweeping the Braves. But that means the Twins need to win tomorrow and take two of three against the Orioles, if not sweep them altogether. The Orioles have already clinched a playoff berth, so the Birds might decide to rest certain players against the Twins, which would certainly help. I don’t see the Tigers losing another game, and they end the season against the White Sox. Some teams have all the luck.
-Varland, Jorge Alcala and Cole Sands fanned 10 of the Twins’ 16 total strikeouts. The win went to Griffin Jax.
-Alcala was recalled by the Twins and reliever Cole Irvin was designated for assignment. My apologies to Twins Territory. You were right: Alcala had no business being sent down because Irvin was terrible.
-Other moves: Matt Wallner has landed on the injured list and Topa and Austin Martin have rejoined the team. Topa came over from the M’s in the Jorge Polanco trade and made his first appearance of the season on Wednesday after battling injuries. He pitched a scoreless ninth on eight pitches.
-There’s a reason the Marlins have lost 100 games: They committed four errors in the loss, two throwing, two fielding.
-It wasn’t a good night for SWR. His line: Three runs allowed on six hits, including a home run, with a walk and two strikeouts on 36 pitches.