Twins 5, Mariners 3: Larnach Lift-Off

A week and a half ago, the Minnesota Twins headed out for the territories on a three-stop West Coast road trip. This week, they will return home victorious in each of those arenas thanks to a late Trevor Larnach launch this afternoon.

The Twins took an early lead in this one when Cesar Tovar Denny Hocking Nick Punto (sorry—my computer kept autocorrecting “super utility player”) Willi Castro led off with a hit, stole second, and scored on a Larnach knock.

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In the 4th, Kepler singled and came around to score on an Austin Martin double—then Jose Miranda stayed hot and cranked a ball into LF that allowed Martin to motor (heh heh) around and touch home plate. 3-0 Twins!

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All the while, Joe Ryan was having an exceedingly odd start—alternating between pinpointing the corners for Ks and plunking Mariners batters. In fact, a ball that connected with Mitch Garver’s back batting arm ultimately knocked him from the contest and also removed the designated hitter from M’s manager Scott Servais’ repertoire.

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This created a later sequence in which Luis Castillo batted for himself and took three pitches right down the middle before walking back to the dugout—clearly told not to swing. One wonders if perhaps such a scenario will be further addressed by MLB in the offseason—not a great look for anyone involved.

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In the bottom of the 5th, the game turned—for a brief moment—into Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events. In the span of four at-bats:

• Squeeze bunt attempt in which Ryan looked the runner back to 3B but no out was recorded
• Squeeze bunt attempt in which Ryan fielded a ball on his knees, threw home, the runner was initially ruled out, and the challenge overturned him to safe
• Byron Buxton lost a ball in the sun to load the bases
• A “ground ball with eyes” tied up all fielders and left none of them at a base while another Seattle run scored

You know, just your run-of-the-mill half inning.

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Fortunately, Ryan recovered to retire the next two batters and walk away still harboring a slim 3-2 lead.

In the sixth, Ryan recorded his 10th whiff of the late-afternoon but was removed after 5.2 IP in favor of Caleb Thielbar with two lefties lined up. Meat Raffle proceeded to walk both port-siders and set up the extremely undesirable matchup with Julio Rodriguez. J-Rod’s wicked liner to 1B portended disaster—but it happened to be right at the mitt of Carlos Santana.

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The parade of Twins B-team relievers continued into the 7th—and this time it came back to haunt the visitors: Steven Okert surrendered a single and Cole Sands allowed the same to Jorge Polanco as Seattle knotted the score at 3-3.

It wouldn’t stay tied for long.

In the top of the 8th, Miranda continued his torrid June with another base knock, then Larnach achieved lift-off deep into the RCF bleachers. 5-3 Twins!

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Kody Funderburk did what Thielbar could not (retire Seattle’s lefties) and controlled the 8th, while Jhoan Duran put ‘em down 1-2-3 in the 9th.

Your final: Minnesota Twins 5, Seattle Mariners 3.

A 6-3 road trip in the books, with a Tigers & Astros homestand upcoming sandwiched around the Independence Day holiday.

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Studs

• Ryan (5.2 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 10 K). The stats may not bear it out through all the oddities, but he pitched really well in an electric road atmosphere.
• Castro—continuing to ignite the offense in some way every day.
• Larnach for the nail in Seattle’s coffin.

Duds

• Thielbar—walked both lefties he faced and only recorded an out on a 95-mph exit velocity liner.
• Sands—again looked shaky and allowed the game to be tied (albeit briefly)

Comment of the Game

• Matt noting that this team is now 10 games above .500 (47-37)!