An ugly win on a picture perfect day

Twins 8
Angels 7

My 2nd Twins game of the season took place on just about the most perfect weather day I've ever seen at Target Field. Funny how I didn't hear anyone bitching about a lack of a roof today. 🤔

It was a pretty big swing game too. Rubber game of a 3 gamer with the Angels, and the last of a 7 game homestand that came in a rather disappointing 3-3. Losing today would have made this homestand a real flop.

But the bats that had been very inconsistent and un-clutch of late snapped out of it. It was a very well balanced 1-9 today  as everyone but Kepler either scored or drove in a run. Buxton and Castro went deep. Adrianza of all people had a big 2 run double to kickstart things.

And they needed all 8 runs. Jake Ororizzi was solid through 5 but then had a Gibson-like 6th inning collapse. At least Baldelli's hook was a little quicker this time to keep the lead 6-3. Then after Castro's blast it seemed a pretty safe lead.

When will I learn that no lead is safe with this bullpen. Harper got in a little trouble in the 8th, but Blake Parker came in and mowed down Shohei Otani to end the threat.

And then the real theatrics came in the 9th. Up 4, Baldelli doesn't send Parker back out to the mound. Instead he puts in Trevor Hildenberger, who handed Detroit both of their wins here last weekend.

To my total non-surprise, Hindenberger happened again. After getting the 1st guy, it was double, double, single. Just like that it was 8-6, and Baldelli was back out there for another pitching change. But instead of Taylor Rogers it was Mike Morin, a journeyman who has only been here a couple weeks(although he has been fine). One's mind may have wandered to question why Parker was not left in for the 9th. But anyway, Morin immediately gave up a single. Then after a strikeout, another single. Bases loaded, 2 out, game and series on the line, and Mike Trout at the plate. No pressure.

Actually there was pressure, and it got to Morin, who got Trout down 0-2 but then threw 2 balls and plunked him to force in a run. Next it was the wunderkind Ohtani...who mercifully grounded out to end the game. And there was much rejoicing.

Thankfully the Twins finally got the point, and demoted Hildenberger after the game.

Comments

  1. MichelleMay 17, 2019 at 5:45 PM

    I think this team could win the division and possibly win a couple of games in the playoffs but this bullpen will be our downfall.

    ReplyDelete

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