The Twins lost Friday for a 99th time this season, the latest for a multitude of reasons, though in late September of a campaign that could end as the worst in franchise history, the reasons have always been familiar. With 10 games left in the regular season, they hold one of the two wild card spots and four teams – the Orioles, Astros, Mariners and Yankees – are now chasing them.
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Seattle Mariners’ Nelson Cruz jogs home on an RBI double by Kyle Seager off Minnesota Twins pitcher Buddy Boshers, left, during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, in Minneapolis.
The Mariners (81-72) passed Houston – which lost to the Los Angeles Angels – in the standings but still trail Detroit by two games for the second wild card.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) For the second straight day, the last-place Minnesota Twins were hanging in against a team vying for the American League wild card. But hey, at least it’s nearly hockey season in Minnesota.
The Mariners loaded the bases in the fifth inning by sandwiching two walks around a Cano single, but Adam Lind struck out on a pitch in the dirt. His other two home runs this year have come while he was a designated hitter.
“It’s unfortunate for him that he hasn’t been able to celebrate a lot of those home runs with the losses”, Minnesota manager Paul Molitor said. Paxton gave up a leadoff triple to Miguel Sano that probably should have been caught. “That’s part of what we’re hoping we’re developing here is these guys are understanding the fine line when you get down to the end, whether it’s making a pitch or making a play or getting a hit”. Minnesota rookie Jose Berries had stranded runners on third in the first two innings while giving up two hits and two walks.
“I think it was a step in the right direction for me”, Gibson said.
The one run wouldn’t matter as Seattle supplied Paxton with the most run support he’s received in a start this season. Molitor said Sano was still sore but was anxious to return. “Nice to see them get going again”. Sanchez, who has been in and out of the Tigers’ rotation of late, allowed just one run in five innings of work but did not factor into the decision.
“The offence is having a tough time”, Molitor said.
SHORT HOPS: The game started after a 36-minute rain delay.
Byron Buxton went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday’s loss to the Tigers. Video replay showed the ball likely would have hit near the top of the wall. Heredia scored on Cano’s infield single, then a Cruz double to center brought in two more runs.
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“I wouldn’t say that it changes everything”, Verlander said. “Didn’t seem to stop the second one”. “When he hit it, I thought it was out of the park”. Ryan O’Rourke, J.T. Chargois, Buddy Boshers, and Tommy Milone all surrendered runs out of the bullpen as another Twins game turned non-competitive.
