Twins All-Stars leave impact on the game
Minnesota Twins representatives have an impact on the All-Star Game.
The Minnesota Twins sent three representatives to the All-Star Game in Miami, Florida, all three of them got into the ballgame and two had a direct impact on the scoring of the game. Miguel Sano got to play three innings as one of a trio of third basemen on the American League squad while both Brandon Kintzler and Ervin Santana both pitched an inning in the exhibition, respectively.
Sano was the first Twin into the game coming in as a replacement for Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez. The Twins third base slugger got one at-bat in the ballgame and he made it count. Sano came up to the plate in the fifth with two outs and Baltimore Orioles Jonathan Schoop on second. Sano hit a high, quick pop up that fell between first and right field that not even a charging Bryce Harper with amazing hair could catch. The bloop was enough to score Schoop and give Sano an RBI and gave the American League a 1-0 lead.
Brandon Kintzler got the bottom of the fifth inning and he pitched a perfect inning. Kintzler needed only 11 pitches to get out of his inning. Kintzler retired Zack Cozart, Charlie Blackmon and Giancarlo Stanton.
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Ervin Santana followed in the sixth inning, but did not have a perfect inning. Santana gave up one hit and it was a big one. Santana’s only allowed hit came off the bat of St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina and the ball happened to go over the wall. The solo shot from Molina tied the contest up at 1-1. Santana would finish the inning with no other damage inflicted to him or the rest of the American League crew.
Sano was taken out following the sixth inning to get fellow AL Central third baseman Mike Moustakas into the ballgame. That closed the book for the Twins players on the night.
Both pitchers with Minnesota ties got into the ballgame for the National League squad. Philadelphia Phillies reliever Pat Neshek pitched a scoreless second inning and allowed only one hit. San Diego Padres reliever Brad Hand struck out one batter in a perfect inning of relief.
So who won the game that for the first time in years no longer determined home field advantage in the World Series? Well, it took 10 innings, but thanks to a Robinson Cano solo shot, the American League won by a score of 2-1.
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