Remember last week, when I said that the Twins needed to get things going, or be left behind? They're getting left behind.
At this point, they need to catch up to the Tigers.
To begin the long, difficult process of catching the Tigers (who are...rebuilding? Are they rebuilding? Or are they just saying "let's stop paying Victor Martinez, Jordan Zimmerman and Miguel Cabrera, and then we'll talk"), they're going to have to beat a team that is much better than the Tigers.
Tasked with getting the team off on the right right is Lance Lynn, who could scarcely have started the season worse. He's actually done quite a bit better over the last couple of starts (the last two, anyway) but then, both of those starts were against AL Central teams who are not based out of Ohio, so... not quite the same.
Ah, well. In the immortal words of J.P. from Angels in the Outfield... "It could happen!"
Lance Lynn: Secret Ace
Giving up a run on a double steal of second and home is--unfortunately, about par for the course this season.
So, I wasnt watching or listening. What exactly happened?
Strikeout combined with double steal is how Gameday described it.
Delayed steal of home.
It really seems like every other team is managing and running circles around their lack of fundamentals or preparedness.
I think Lance Lynn is not going to pitch a complete game.
dozier tried. eddie showed him how it's done.
Morrison does not have good acceleration.
I guess the Indians won't get hits if you walk them. Well, it's a strategy, I guess
And it seems to be working!
how weird is it to have some confidence with gibson picking up the ball tomorrow.
I.... I might even make it a point to watch.
It figures that this Gibson would appear during a season that is not going well, though.
Time for puppies!
With the Twins post-game show ended, time to switch over to the Fort Myers Miracle. They're tied with St. Lucie 1-1 in the fifth inning of a scheduled seven-inning game. There's only been one hit in the game so far, an RBI single by Lewin Diaz in the second.
That's three decent starts in a row for Lynn. Who knew that he just had to channel his inner Deduno?
Maybe he learned to throw the magical zoomball!
You can't learn that, you have to be born with it
Miracle pitcher Andro Cutura gave up a hit with two-out in the fifth. Still tied 1-1.
Jimmy Kerrigan, Lewin Diaz, and Caleb Hamilton hit consecutive doubles in the seventh. Fort Myers takes a 3-1 lead.
St. Lucie puts a couple of men on base in the seventh, but does not score. Andro Cutura pitches a seven-inning complete game. So, time to switch to the Cedar Rapids Kernels. They lead Burlington 4-2 in the fifth.
Akil Baddoo is batting for Cedar Rapids leading off the seventh. He needs a home run for the cycle.
And he strikes out. If the Kernels can send more than three batters to the plate in any of the remaining innings, he'll get one more chance.
Jacob Pearson hit a two-run double and Ben Rortvedt followed with a double to put the Kernels up 7-2 and assure that Baddoo will get another shot at hitting for the cycle. Bryan Sammons struck out eight in six strong innings for Cedar Rapids.
In the bottom of the seventh, Cedar Rapids has walked home two runs. It's 7-4 with the bases loaded and two out.
And another bases-loaded walk. It's 7-5.
And a fly out finally ends the inning. 7-5 Kernels through seven.
Baddoo doesn't get a home run for the cycle, but he does get a stand-up triple. It had to be tempting to just have him keep going, but it sounds like if he had scored it would've had to be a triple-plus-error.
And with that I'm going to prepare for bed so I can do three worship services tomorrow. Good night, everybody!