Twins fall to Astros in third straight loss
Struggles at Target Field continue as the Minnesota Twins again dropped a game at home.
Tuesday night saw the worst start of the season from Minnesota Twins budding ace Jose Berrios, but it still didn’t reach the ineptitude that was displayed during the 2016 season for Berrios. Berrios went five innings and allowed four runs on five hits and four walks.
The Twins even gave the ace some early run support. Eddie Rosario walked in the first inning with the bases loaded to give the Twins a 1-0 lead. Byron Buxton followed with an RBI infield single to make it a 2-0 Twins lead, but it wouldn’t last for long.
Alex Bregman hit a sacrifice fly in the third to cut the Twins’ lead in half. Brian McCann grounded into a double play in the fourth that scored a run. Jose Altuve hit a two-RBI single off of Berrios in the fifth to make it a 4-2 ballgame for the Astros.
Buddy Boshers pitched two innings in relief and gave up a solo shot to Bregman in the seventh inning.
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The final pitcher of the game for the Twins was Jason Wheeler. It was also the MLB debut of Wheeler. Wheeler almost rolled to a great two inning beginning to his career, but the Astros bit in the ninth inning. Altuve reached on what was ruled an infield single and an error on Jorge Polanco’s throw from short to first baseman Joe Mauer allowed a run to score. An on-target throw would have retired Altuve. The extra out allowed Carlos Correa to notch an RBI single to increase the lead to a 7-2 lead for the Astros. That would be the final score.
The Twins have now dropped three straight games. The two main concerns remain for the Twins with the lack of offense and a bullpen that remains the weakest link of the team. Wheeler looked to have some promise in his MLB debut and was a better Polanco throw away from leaving his first MLB appearance with a scoreless two innings.
What’s next for the Twins?
The Twins will try to salvage a game in the series with the best team in baseball. The series finale from Target Field with Astros and Twins is set for 12:10 Central.
Next: Twins management has a big decision to make
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