Walking off the Twins? Must be a day that ends in -y.
Well.
The first game out of the deadline certainly did not disappoint.
Gavin Williams was on tonight, tossing 6 beautiful, scoreless innings of work. Final line: 6(IP) 4H 0ER 2BB 8K.
Offense came through in the first two innings, scoring a run in each. Jose drove in Kwan (who got an ovation in his first at-bat, and then singled) in the first inning with this RBI single through the right side.
Jose then stole second, becoming the first primary third baseman in MLB history to record 275+ HR and 275+ stolen bases.
Then, in the second, Rocchio drove in Santana with this RBI single.
In the third, with a runner on second and two outs, Austin Martin hit a ball out toward left. Kwan, then, made a nearly perfect throw home to throw out the runner.
The game was pretty boring from here on out, as both starting pitchers posted scoreless frames through the rest of their outings. Then, in the eighth, Gaddis was brought in to relieve Erik Sabrowki, who had put runners on first and second. Gaddis tried to make a jump throw on a weak bouncer from Austin Martin and threw the ball past Santana, allowing the tying run to score.
In the bottom of the ninth, two Guardians hitters (Santana and Rocchio) hit fly balls that looked almost certain to leave… at least on the broadcast. Both died at the wall.
Cade Smith threw 2 scoreless innings in relief, fanning 3 Twins batters in both the ninth and tenth innings.
Then, in the 10th, Kwan reached on a bunt single to put runners at the corners. David Fry (pinch-hitting for Daniel Schneeman) struck out, and Baldelli put Jose on first. With the bases loaded, and only one out, Manzardo stepped in (against a lefty, no less). He then lined a ball at 103mph into left, walking off the Twins. Good things happen when Manzardo plays, regardless of the pitcher’s handedness he’s facing.
So, the Guardians walked off the Twins.
A tale as old as time.
Bibee takes the mound tomorrow.