Eddie Rosario was 2-4 at the plate, including a solo HR as the Twins handed the Blue Jays their first shutout defeat with a 4-0 victory.
Game Highlights:
- The Twins opened the scoring on a 2nd inning solo HR by Eddie Rosario
- They doubled the lead in the bottom of the 3rd as Gregorio Petit scored on a Max Kepler ground out
- Fernando Romero pitching line: 5.2IP 4H 0R 3BB 5K 97 pitches (59 for strikes)
- Marcus Stroman pitching line: 7IP 6H 2R (both earned) 1BB 5K 99 pitches (68 for strikes)
- The Twins added an insurance run in the bottom of the 8th as Kepler scored on a Robbie Grossman sac fly
- The next batter Petit walked to force in Eduardo Escobar
- Final score: Twins 4 Blue Jays 0
My Take:
- Marcus Stroman had his best start of the season pitching seven solid innings and scattering 6 hits. His most difficult inning was the 3rd inning when the Twins loaded the bases. Stroman escaped the jam, giving up just a single run. The best news was his ERA fell below 8.00 and he gained some much needed confidence.
- John Gibbons was tossed from the game in the 3rd inning after arguing Tesoscar Hernandez's strikeout and the subsequent tag out of Aledmys Diaz. I thought the umpire was a bit harsh in ejecting Gibby, especially since the call was incorrect. It should have been a check swing and continued AB
- Kevin Pillar was the best Blue Jays position player. He was 2-3 at the plate and made a great catch in center field to end the 7th inning. There has to be concern about his wrist. While he finished the game, time will tell if he's available for the double-header tomorrow.
- The Blue Jays were unable to get a base runner past second base today. Credit the Twins defense for being sharper than in the first two games of this series.
- Up next, the Blue Jays head to Cleveland for tomorrow's double header (make up games for the 2 rain outs a couple of weekends ago. Game 1 sees Lefty Jaimie Garcia pitching against righty Carlos Carrasco
