Despite another frigid night in downtown Minneapolis, the Twins’ offense finally warmed up and banged out 10 hits in a 7-3 win over the Detroit Tigers on Monday.
Although a win, it’s not as convincing as it sounds because the Twins were 5-for-16 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 on base, including multiple times in which the bases were loaded and they came up empty. A little more timely hitting and the Twins would have routed the Tigers.
Still, Trevor Larnach, Victor Caratini and Matt Wallner had two hits apiece — Caratini also drove in three runs — and Luke Keaschall broke up a 3-3 game with a two-run home run.
On the mound, Joe Ryan earned the win on a night that several pitchers struggled to find the strike zone. He allowed three runs (two earned) across five innings with seven strikeouts, but also walked three batters which contributed to a high pitch total (101) and an early exit.
Reliever Kody Funderburk also struggled with his control by walking the bases loaded — only six of 20 pitches landed for strikes — but he was bailed out by Cody Laweryson who picked up his first save. Twelve of his 14 pitches found the strike zone. Between them, Twins and Tigers pitching issued 14 base on balls.
Taj Bradley gets the ball on Tuesday.
Extra innings…
–What was the highlight of the night? The home run ball I caught in the lower left field bleachers that was hit by Kid Keaschall. You can see it here. I catch the ball and then I lose my balance and fall back into my seat. My son is to my right. It’s only the second time in my life (once in the minors, once in the majors) that a ball has been hit directly at me. Both were home run balls. Fun moments.
–Speaking of Keaschall, his walk up song happens to be the theme music to the movie “Rocky,” which while rousing and inspiring also strikes me as more pressure-filled than it needs to be. Is he expecting a Rocky-like moment with every at bat? If he struggles, it just might start to ring a bit hollow with fans.
–It’s time to move on from James Outman. We are now 10 games into the new season and Outman still doesn’t have a hit. He struck out four times in Monday’s game.
–Attendance continues to fall. After 36,000 fans attended the home opener, it has dropped for every game since. Monday’s total chimed in at 12,569. It was very, very cold, however.