MIN 6, TEX 5: Belisle Earns First Post-Kintzler Save

Win Expectancy (via Fangraphs)

This game got off to a terrible start for the Twins, as Berrios gave up a three-run homer to Adrian Beltre and a two-run shot to Joey Gallo in the first inning. But the Twins answered with a pair of second inning homers of their own, as Kepler and Dozier each hit two-run blasts. Rosario provided a solo shot in the third to tie it up.

https://twitter.com/BaseballByTom/status/894329813103718402

The only run scored in the game that wasn’t on a homer was on a bang-bang play. With two outs in the fifth inning, Robbie Grossman hit a ball off the right field wall. Shin-Soo Choo played in beautifully, and nailed Grossman at second base. Luckily Eduardo Escobar touched home just before Robbie was tagged out to end the inning. But it doesn’t get much closer than that.

https://twitter.com/BaseballByTom/status/894330659996663810

This outing won’t look so good in Berrios’ game log, but he did a great job at collecting himself after a really ugly first frame. After a clean second inning for Jose, he had to sit through a 32-minute rain delay. He stayed in the game and retired the Rangers in order in both the third and fourth innings before facing five batters in a scoreless fifth inning.

That effort, along with a great performance by the pen, allowed Berrios to pick up his 10th victory. Hildenberger pitched two scoreless innings and Taylor Rogers pitched a perfect eighth for his first shutout inning in seven tries.

Belise needed just 13 pitches to record his first save since 2012, and just the sixth save of his 14-year career. He got Carlos Gomez to fly out, induced a ground out from Drew Robinson before striking out Choo to end the game.

Miguel Sano, whose hand is still recovering from a hit by pitch from Friday, was out again. Dozier was forced to leave this game in the sixth inning due to an illness.

Postgame With Molitor

https://twitter.com/fsnorth/status/894319931872784385

Twins W-L Record

Overall: 53-56 (.486)

Last 10: 4-6 (.400)

Last 20: 8-12 (.400)

Last 40: 17-23 (.425)

Last 80: 38-42 (.475)

Defensive Lineups

Here’s a look at the starting lineups from the past seven games:

Bullpen Usage

Here’s a quick look at the number of pitches thrown by the bullpen over the past five days:

Looking Ahead

Monday: Twins (Ervin Santana) vs. Milwaukee (Brent Suter)

Tuesday: Twins (Adalberto Mejia) vs. Milwaukee (Matt Garza)

Next Series: Twins head to Milwaukee for two games.