Just as it looked like the Toronto Blue Jays were going to take two out of three and ultimately, their series in Minneapolis, until the Minnesota Twins scored three runs in the 8th inning to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Yariel Rodriguez (1-6, 4.82) got the ball for the Blue Jays, while Bailey Ober (12-6, 4.06) did so for the Twins. Rodriguez had a solid, but short start. After struggling with his command in the 1st, Rodriguez tossed 3 innings, allowing no run on three hits, walking two and striking out three, taking a no-decision. Ober was also solid. The 6’8″ right-hander threw 6 innings, allowing one run on just one hit, walking three and striking out eight, also taking a no-decision.
The Blue Jays struck first in the 1st when Ernie Clement hit his 10th homer of the year to give Toronto a quick 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the 4th, the Twins threatened with the tying run on second base, when Max Kepler hit what looked to be a pop-up going into the stands. Out of nowhere, second baseman Leo Jimenez ran into the netting along the first baseline and made a spectacular catch as he fell head-first into the stands. Although Jimenez appeared shaken up, he was tended to by the Blue Jays’ trainers and would end up staying in the game.
The game would remain 1-0 until the bottom of the 7th. An RBI ground out from Carlos Santana drove in one run to tie the score at one.
The Jays however would take a 2-1 lead in the 8th after Jimenez got hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. An RBI groundout from Joey Loperfido would extend the Blue Jays’ lead to 3-1.
But the Twins did not quit, rallying in the bottom half of the 8th. Jays closer Chad Green (4-3, 1.61) came in to shut down the Minnesota offence. Instead, the Twins threatened with two on and one out after singles from Ryan Jeffers and Austin Martin. Royce Lewis then stepped up and sent a ball just over the left field wall for a three-run shot to give the Twins a 4-3 lead, effectively completing the comeback.
The flame-throwing Jhoan Duran (6-8, 3.68) then secured his 20th save as the Twins held on for a 4-3 victory to take the series.
The Blue Jays will head back to Toronto and get a day off on Monday as they get ready to host the Philadelphia Phillies for their second two-game series of the year.
Chris Bassitt (9-13, 4.27) will get the start for the Blue Jays, as Tyler Phillips (4-1, 5.00) will take the mound for game one on Tuesday night.
