Brian Dozier (.260/.332/.517) didn't make the MLB All-Star game off of the fan's ballot, but those of us in Minnesota know what he's meant to the team this year. Last night, with 1 on and 1 out in the 10th inning, he hit his 17th homer to left to walk-off the Orioles, helped the Twins to move to 44-39 (2nd WC spot), scored his league-leading* 63rd run, 41st & 42nd RBI (third place on the Twins roster) and improved his team-leading OPS to .849. Among Second Basemen in the American League, only Jason Kipnis has had a better offensive first half (.340/.416/.503). I'm hoping fans of Major League Baseball make the right choice and Dozier is voted in. It'll be tough, three of the other 4 options are from NY, Bos & Chi-town, and the Royals fans have shown their ability to get out the vote (Moustakas is the 4th option).
Vote here if you'd like to see Brian accompany Glen Perkins to Cincinnati.
Every run last night was scored via the long ball: Solo home runs from Manny Machado & Adam Jones for the Orioles and Torii Hunter & Aaron Hicks for the Twins, followed by the 2-Run shot from Dozier.
Trevor May, pitching out of the bullpen due to the reinstatement of Ervin Santana, racked up the win after throwing 16 pitches in the top-half of the 10th, giving up 1 hit and striking out 1. Tommy Hunter, in a similar spot for Baltimore, took the loss.
*Tied with Josh Donaldson
Photo: Brad Rempel, USA TODAY Sports
I would think last night had to be a confidence boost for Trevor May. No matter how much they tried to explain it to him and tried to reassure him, being sent to the bullpen had to feel like a demotion. To be called on in a tie game when there were more experienced relievers available, and then to come through with a shutout inning and a win, had to feel good to him.
I was both thinking the same thing and questioning Molitor's judgment. I'm very happy for him that it went smoothly, though Jones's long fly ball that spun just foul gave me a scare.