José Berríos struck out eight batters over six innings of one-run ball while the Twins’ lineup scored eight runs for the first time in 19 games. The White Sox did their part to help things along as well, committing four more errors to end what was an ugly series in the field for Chicago.
Quality Start For Berrios
Jose Berrios took the mound for the Minnesota Twins in the rubber match of the series and provided the Twins with the kind of start they were hoping for. Jose was dialed in from the first inning and looked very sharp all night. He ran into a little trouble in the third when he gave up a single and two walks. He could have wiggled out the jam had he gotten some help from his defense but he was able to limit the damage and only allowed one run to score.
His final line was 6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
The effort tonight from Berrios is exactly what this team needed. They finally snapped their losing streak last night and needed a good start from their ace to take the series against a very good Chicago White Sox team.
Offense Comes Alive
Josh Donaldson was activated off the IL today and immediately made a positive impact. He singled in his first at-bat and would later drive in a pair with a double to right-center in the second inning. His presence in the lineup had definitely been missed.
Ownage is ownage and Jake Cave certainly owns Reynaldo Lopez. His first home run of the season came in the opening series of the year against Chicago when he took Lopez deep. He did it again tonight when he hit a solo shot in the second to put Minnesota on the board early. That wasn’t the only offense Cave would provide tonight. He also singled and drove in Arraez for his second RBI of the game in the fifth inning.
Miguel Sano continues to swing a hot bat. He launched a solo home run in the fourth inning and led off the fifth with a double. He would later score on a very ugly defensive play. So ugly you have to see it for yourself.
Eddie Rosario kept the offensive attack going when he blasted a two-run home run in the sixth inning to propel Minnesota to an 8-1 lead.
Injury Bug Bites Again
Last night we got Buxton back off the IL, tonight we got Donaldson back but two more Twins left the game early with injury.
Max Kepler pulled up limp after scoring from first on the double from Donaldson and was replaced by Marwin Gonzalez. Luis Arraez also left the game early after limping into second and was replaced by Ehire Adrianza.
Neither injury appeared to be too serious but the Minnesota Twins can’t afford to be without either player for any extended period of time.
Minnesota Bullpen Slams the Door
Jorge Alcala entered the game in the seventh following the quality outing from Berrios. Alcala would toss two scoreless innings, allowing only one hit and striking out two.
Devin Smeltzer was called upon in the top of the ninth to put the game on ice and he did exactly that.
White Sox Defense Was Bad… Very Bad
The Minnesota Twins would have won tonight regardless but the Chicago defense was downright awful. They committed four errors, including the ridiculous debacle of a rundown play that allowed Sano to score in the fifth (see video above).
The Twins will enjoy a day off tomorrow before playing a doubleheader against Detroit on Friday.