Despite the one-run loss, Saturday’s Twins game was almost as interesting as the late-in-the-game, run-scoring bonanza that unfolded on Friday.
It had just about everything: home runs, player and manager ejections, close plays at home and at second base, a throwing error and a walk-off fielder’s choice that finally gave the M’s a 5-4 win in the bottom of the 11th inning.
Matt Wallner rejoined the team from the injured list on Saturday and he didn’t disappoint, crushing a two-run shot in the second inning to give the Twins a 2-0 lead, which was soon increased to a 3-0 advantage.
But the M’s rallied to score four runs and take the lead. However, the Twins answered back in the ninth. Byron Buxton hit a grounder to the pitcher, but he threw wide of first base, allowing Buck to get to third base. Trevor Larnach then banged a single through the right side of the infield to tie the game at 4-4.
The game ended when an M’s rookie, making his major league debut, hit a slow-rolling grounder that was picked up by Ty France and thrown home, but not in time to get the runner hustling down the line from third base. Ballgame.
The Twins go for the series win on Sunday. Chris Paddack gets the ball.
Extra innings…
–The Twins were not terribly efficient on the base paths. They left 13 men on base and were 4-for-19 with runners in scoring position.
–Slugger Wallner can certainly hit a ball a long way, but he is not fleet of foot. Wallner was doubled up at second base and thrown out at home during the game.
–You know who is fast? Buxton. He took third base easily on the throwing error in the ninth.
–Carlos Correa and manager Rocco Baldelli were ejected in the seventh inning; Correa, for arguing balls and strikes, while Rocco was tossed after he came out to stick up for his player (and possibly argued balls and strikes as well). I expect both to be fined and possibly suspended because they were pretty confrontational with the home plate umpire. I will say this: the ump’s strike zone was all over the place on Saturday.
–Willi Castro had three more hits in the loss. Over the last seven games, Castro is slashing .348/.444/.652.
–The Twins sent eight pitchers to the mound on Saturday.