The Twins scored six runs early and four runs late to run away from the West Sacramento A’s, or whatever you want to call them, by a score of 10-4 on Monday in Game 1 of the four-game series.
Although nearly ever player in the lineup got into the act in this one, it was outfielder Byron Buxton who stole the show, driving in five runs at the top of the order with a single, double and sacrifice fly.
Several other players had multiple hits: Brooks Lee and Willi Castro had two hits apiece, while Ty France led the way with three hits, two runs scored and two RBI.
The win went to starter Joe Ryan, who improved to 6-2 with a 2.91 ERA. Those are decent numbers overall, but it was far from his best start.
Ryan needed 97 pitches to get through five innings, allowing four runs on six hits with an uncharacteristic three walks and four strikeouts. But that was the extent of the run-scoring damage because the bullpen tossed four scoreless frames after Ryan’s exit.
Pablo Lopez gets the ball Tuesday.
Extra innings…
–The Twins are 32-27.
–The Twins won six of seven meetings versus the A’s last season.
–A’s pitching did not look good in Monday’s loss. Starter Luis Severino coughed up eight runs and the bullpen issued four base on balls.
–The A’s are playing the next few seasons in Sutter Health Park, the home of the Sacramento River Cats, the Triple-A team of the San Francisco Giants. About 8,900 fans attended the game.
–What’s a river cat? Twins TV broadcasters Cory Provus and ex-Twin Trevor Plouffe had this conversation during the game. I’ll tell you what it is: It’s a cat down by the river, probably scrawny but mean, picking over an old fish left behind by some kids who didn’t bother to toss it back in the water. How’s that?
–Ex-Twin Brent Rooker, who leads the A’s with 13 home runs, had a hit, an RBI and a walk in Monday’s game.