Game Time - 6:10 p.m. CT
After winning in spectacular gut-wrenching, extra-inning, bomba-blasting fashion to even the series in Boston last night, the Twins seek to win their fourth series this month by taking tonight's rubber game. Rocco seems determined to see if John Gant can be turned back into a starting pitcher after two years of bullpen duty, so he'll be pitching the initial frames for the Twins tonight. The Red Sox, 7.5 games back of the Rays and 3 behind the Yankees, are feeling the pressure to win games and at least secure a wild card berth in the playoffs. They'll be sending Chris Sale to the mound for just his third start in two years following Tommy John surgery. But they've been really good starts. He's 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 10 innings. Play ball!
Okay Rocco, don't be putting Luis too far down the lineup - he needs the PAs!
I'd have preferred to bring up Joe Ryan to start rather than John Gant, but as often happens, Rocco neglected to call and ask my opinion.
Good first inning for Gant.
Bases on balls have always been Gant's problem, and he's struggling with it tonight.
And bases on balls followed by gopher balls are even worse.
Gant - what was to be expected
Immaculate inning??
Yep.
3 runs looks more than plenty for Sale tonight. Mercy
He's on a pitch count. The best hope is to try to keep it close and score against the Sox bullpen.
8 of the 12 outs by strikeout
Won't be a no-hitter!
Dick Bremer chiding Justin Morneau for planning on going to Mankato on the Twins Caravan
"What is it, like a half hour drive from your house?!"
Me: no Dick its actually only a 15 minute drive from Lake Crystal to Kato
Not the way Dick drives
Turtle power!!
No shutout, either! A-STUD!!!!!
I have been impressed by the resilience of this team in recent weeks. They keep battling, even in situations where it would be easy to give up.
I hope Barraclough is cool.
Internet saying 'bar-uh-clow', Dazzle saying 'BearClaw'.
Bremer also saying it like the pastry
Not to start another food-storm here, but I'd put the Long John above the Bear Claw.
NBBW voting for the Bacon Maple Bar from Voodoo Doughnuts in Austin, Tejas.
Early farm report:
St. Paul leads Toledo 6-1 in the sixth. Randy Dobnak gave up one run on five hits and four walks in 4.2 innings.
Wichita and Tulsa are scoreless in the third. Jordan Balazovic has struck out three and walked none in two innings.
Cedar Rapids leads Beloit 2-0 in the fourth. Wander Javier hit a two-run homer. Sawyer Gipson-Long has struck out six in three innings. He has given up five hits, but so far no runs.
Fort Myers trails Bradenton 2-0 in the third. Sean Mooney has struck out seven in three innings, but has given up two runs, although only one is earned.
Le sigh.
Dalbec has the Twins to thank for propping up his slash line this year
This story only ends one way.
38.5 mph heater!
12 runs on NINE hits??