We have an early contender for worst Twins loss of the season.
The Twins raced out to a 7-1 lead over the Houston Astros on Sunday and appeared to be well on their way to a blowout win and a second straight series win.
But none of that would come to be because the Astros clawed their way back from a six-run deficit to tie the game in the ninth and then they won it in the 10th, 9-7. This time the bullpen wasn’t nearly as sharp, particularly Griffin Jax, who was lights out for the Twins last season.
Jax got the ball in the ninth. Although he struck out the side, he first surrendered single, home run and double to blow the save and allow Houston to tie the game. Jax exited stage left and in came the artist formerly known as Louie Varland, who allowed two more runs (one earned) to take the loss.
The Twins fall to 3-6 and now head to Kansas City for a four-game set. Simeon Woods Richardson gets the ball.
Extra innings…
-Just so you know, I hate the above photo. That’s my “Twins lose” photo because it seems apt as fans file out of Target Field, heads held low. I shouldn’t say I hate the photo, but I’m definitely tired of looking at it because I used it way too often when the Twins collapsed last September.
-Slugger Matt Wallner sure has found a role in the leadoff position. He had a 4-for-5 day at the plate, with two runs scored. Ex-Twin Luis Arraez also had a 4-for-5 day in the San Diego Padres’ 8-7 win over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. The three-time batting champ also scored a run, drove in a run and walked. The guy can hit.
-Oregon State man Trevor Larnach drove in three runs with a sacrifice fly and double.
-The bullpen wasn’t real sharp and neither was the starting pitching. Chris Paddack allowed four runs (three earned) across just four innings on seven hits with two walks and two strikeouts.
-The Twins are terrible in extra-innings. They are 36-40 in extras since 2020, including 5-9 in 2024, according to Baseball-Reference.com.
-Who hit the big blast in the ninth against the Twins? Who else? The always-dangerous Yordan Alvarez. Is it too early in the season to walk him? I say no. Walk him next time, Rocco.