Rangers Fall To Twins

{fshare id=3755}

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins had been missing clutch hitting in their series with the Texas Rangers, but they found plenty on Saturday in a 7-2 win at Target Field.

Both teams received decent starting pitching, but the Twins were able to find the timely hits with runners in scoring position that the Rangers could not. The Twins outhit Texas 9-8.

The Rangers fell victim to some great Minnesota defense that took away several hits and their own aggressive baserunning, which shortened an inning and led to the seventh out on the bases in the series.

Rangers starter Derek Holland deserved a better fate, going seven innings, giving up three earned runs and five hits, one walk and six strikeouts. But the Twins got to him with some big hits in the sixth inning and built on their early lead.

Brian Dozier singled to center and scored ahead of Josh Willingham, who hit his second home run of the series into the left-field porch for a 3-0 lead.

Holland returned to the mound in the seventh and the Twins manufactured another run with a walk, Eduardo Esocabar’s second hit of the game and a fielder’s choice.

In the eighth, Willingham singled and stole second on a pickoff attempt. The suddenly fleet-of-foot Willingham then ran through a stop sign at third base and scored on an infield hit when the throw home was wide of the plate. Aaron Hicks doubled down the line (the first extra-base hit of his career) and knocked in two more runs.

The Rangers spoiled the shutout with two runs in the ninth, but the damage had already been done.

The Twins opened the scoring (a rare occurrence for them this season) in the third when Hicks hit a sharp grounder to first and Mitch Moreland mishandled it. Hicks moved to third on Escobar’s single to left and scored on Dozier’s sacrifice fly to center field.

Twins starter Pedro Hernandez kept the tough Rangers lineup off the scoreboard by scattering five hits in five innings. He was relieved in the sixth after 80 pitches, allowing no runs and one walk and getting three strikeouts.

He was aided by some excellent defense. The Twins made two diving catches and picked Craig Gentry off first.

Share and Enjoy !

Shares