Two weeks ago, Minnesota Twins RP Andrew Morris gave an inspired performance out of the bullpen in relief of an injured Joe Ryan. One week ago, a bullpen game brought home a victory. For a third consecutive Sunday, the Twins ‘pen turned in an inspired performance to salvage the final game with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Despite another Buxton-less lineup that didn’t inspire a ton of confidence, the Twins got on the board right away in the bottom of the first inning when an Austin Martin leadoff BB was
pushed home on a clutch Kody Clemens double into the RF corner. The rally would continue off Milwaukee opener Robert Gasser to load the bases—but a Royce Lewis K would prevent further payoff.
The early MN lead lasted all of about 15 minutes. In T2, a Jake Bauers leadoff BB off Twins SP Bailey Ober was immediately brought around by a Sal Frelick double to knot things at 1-1.
The Twins snatched the lead back in B3 with a wild sequence: after a Ryan Jeffers single, Clemens again cracked a double—this time off the LF wall—after which he was so aggressive on the base paths and the throw from MIL LF Jackson Chourio was so wild (and out of play) that Kody was awarded the final 90 feet for a Little League HR!
The Brew Crew’s Garrett Mitchell would strike back in T4 to cut the MN lead to 3-2—then Christian Yelich would similarly put one in the paying customers to again even the score at 3-3.
This time the Milwaukee momentum would only last moments, with Jeffers pounding one into the seats in B5!
Remarkably, the bullpen quartet of Anthony Banda, Morris, Taylor Rogers, & Justin Topa kept the border battle visitors off the scoreboard heading into the ninth!
An insurance run came in B8 when a Luke Keaschall leadoff triple was brought home on a Victor Caratini sac fly.
The insurance was needed. Luis Garcia entered in T9 and allowed a run after a furious Brewers rally. But just when it looked like I was going to have to burn this entire recap, Garcia induced a game-ending pop-out directly behind home plate!
Your Final: Minnesota Twins 5, Milwaukee Brewers 4
Can LaTroy Hawkins somehow convince his charges that it’s Sunday every day?!
Zach’s Zealot
- Audra Martin: Today was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles day at Target Field and Twins.TV’s intrepid field reporter showed up in a TMNT onesie! As a 90s kid, I grew up on that series—had all the turtle action figures and the sewer playset.
Zach’s Zombie
- Royce Lewis: 0-3, 3 K, .163 BA, .540 OPS
Egg-cellent Elocution
- Matt Monitto expressing similar disbelief as me after Topa came off the mound without allowing a run.
Who’s Got Next
- The Carlos Correa-less Houston Astros come to town for a three-game set (Mon. night, Tues. night, Wed. afternoon)
