Twins Video
Box Score
Starter: José Berríos 8.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
Home Runs: Jorge Polanco (5)
Top 3 WPA: Rogers (.383), Berríos (.332), Robles (.199)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)
It was a nail-biter and likely produced hyper-ventilating and heart palpitations for those watching, but the Twins pulled out an extra-inning win on a day America remembers those who have fallen so we can enjoy the freedoms we do.
Twins take advantage of Baltimore miscues in 2nd
The Twins took advantage of some defensive miscues by the Orioles to push across their first run in the 3rd inning. Kyle Garlick led off the inning with a single and then stole 2nd base to put himself in scoring position with no one out.
On an infield hit to the pitcher by Andrelton Simmons, the Orioles failed to cover third base to help hold Garlick and doubled down by also allowing Simmons to reach first safely. Garlick would then score on a Polanco grounder that resulted in a fielder's choice and a missed double play by the Orioles.
The Twins, unfortunately, couldn’t capitalize any further from there as Donaldson allowed Baltimore to play make-up and complete the double play on the next play to end the inning.
Berríos Tosses a Gem
Just as the Twins need to put together another win streak, Berríos assembled a great start in what seemed like an attempt to single-handedly propel the Twins to a win. Showing a great economy of pitches, Berrios threw 96 pitches over 8 innings. He even earned an opportunity to enter into the 9th inning before surrendering a leadoff bloop single and being removed for Taylor Rogers.
Berríos walked zero batters which is exactly what any team wants from one of their top starters. His one real mistake was a solo home run that he gave up to Ryan Mountcastle in the 5th inning that allowed the Orioles to tie the game up 1-1 and make the stretch of the game a nail-biter for Twins fans. (For the sake of positivity we will try to ignore how Refsnyder was absolutely destroyed by the outfield fence on Mountcastle’s bomb).
Extra Innings!
The Twins finally shook their extra-inning losing streak last time in this situation. That seems to have taken and started a new trend. With Refsnyder starting on second, Garlick moved him over to third on a ground-out. Then with Simmons at the plate, Refsyder scored on a wild pitch.
From there the bats briefly seemed to wake up as Polanco added to the Twins lead with a solo home run to right field making it 3-1 Twins. Donaldson also added another threat with his second double of the afternoon, but the two runs were all the Twins could add. And they needed both of them.
As Robles came in to close out the game and promptly gave up a double off the bat of DJ Stewart to bring the lead to one. With Stewart standing on third base for far too much of the 10th inning, Robles would seal the 3-2 victory for the Twins with a strikeout of Freddy Galvis.
The Twins hopefully are on their way to another win streak and extend their streak against Baltimore as they have now won the last 16 games against the birds. The team also ends May with a 13-16 record as the season continues to feel as it is getting late fast and this road trip looms as a very important one.
Postgame Interview
Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet
| THU | FRI | SAT | SUN | MON | TOT | |
| Robles | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 16 | 37 |
| Farrell | 0 | 17 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 33 |
| Minaya | 15 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 28 |
| Rogers | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 6 | 27 |
| Thielbar | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 22 |
| Duffey | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Alcala | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Colomé | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
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