Much like last night, scoring in the middle innings and reliance upon great pitching led to a 2-0 victory. Except tonight, the shoe was on the other foot. And brother, the shoe fit. Minnesota evened the series with a 2-0 win over the Athletics, one night after falling victim to the same score.
First, it was Kendrys Rojas getting the last-minute call to action after presumptive starter Mike Paredes was a late warmup scratch with an oblique injury. Rojas, no stranger to curveballs (AAAA HE DOESN’T THROW
ONE STUPID STUPID STUPID) strapped on the gear (GAHHHH I’M THINKING OF CATCHERS STUPID STUPID STUPID) and chucked four shutout, one-hit innings on minimal notice.
From there, Minnesota’s fearsome 2026 bullpen went four deep, with Taylor Rogers, Tommy Nance, Andrew Morris, and Yoendrys Gomez proving that you don’t just have to have a cool Canadian nickname to actually close by committee. The staff went nine shutout, allowing just three hits and three walks against 10 strikeouts to shut down the A’s.
And while Athletic opener Brady Basso held the line, also-real pitcher Mason Barnett surrendered a two-run single to Alan Roden, who put the Twins up 2-0 after a Josh Bell walk and a Royce Lewis double set up the scoring opportunity.
The series will finish tomorrow, and as long as the Twins can hold on for the series victory, the chances of an interesting final pre-deadline week will remain alive.
STUDS:
SP Kendrys Rojas (4 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 5 K)
Bullpen (5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K)
C Victor Caratini (2-for-3)
RF Alan Roden (1-for-3, 2 RBI)
