Twins (6-18)
Span CF
Carroll SS
Mauer DH
Willingham LF
Doumit RF
Valencia 3B
Parmelee 1B
Casilla 2B
Butera C
Pavano (1-2,4.91)
Mariners (11-16)
Ackley 2B
Liddi 3B
Ichiro RF
Montero C
Seager DH
Smoak 1B
Carp LF
Saunders CF
Ryan SS
Vargas (3-2 ,3.38)
Earlier in the game we found out that Figgins has been demoted to a utility player. Despite the promise of the first couple of weeks he just isn't cutting it, which is a huge shame since he was such a great player for Anaheim. For now, Ackley will take the lead off spot.
Vargas pitched well, once again we couldn't do much offensively, and a huge mental lapse in the 7th by Wilhelmsen ruined another great outing by Vargas. We got our hits, but except for the 5th inning couldn't capitalize.
We got leadoff singles in the 1st and 2nd innings, but hit into double plays. Then, in the 5th inning we got three doubles. Montero and Seager hit back to back doubles to left center to start it off, followed by a flyout by Smoak. Montero's looked like it had a chance to go out. Then, Carp, in his first home game since coming off the DL (after injuring himself in the first game in Japan) hit a rocket line drive to right that drove Seager in. We were up 2-0 with one out. A sacrifice fly and single should have made it at least 3-0. But Saunders was caught looking, and Ryan's single (second of the game) up the middle was stopped by Carroll from going into the outfield. Carp had to hold up at third. If Carroll hadn't snagged it... my feelings about the game may have totally changed. So Ryan was denied the RBI, and Ackley hit a fly ball to left to end the inning, stranding runners on 1st and 3rd.
Ryan's single in the 3rd broke an 0-26 hitless streak. He came into the game batting only .125, so at least one positive of the game is that he got two hits and broke out of his slump. Montero continues to hit well with his single and double. Olivo injured himself on the road trip so we will be seeing more of Montero behind the plate until he comes back.
With one out in the 7th inning, leading 2-0, Vargas gave up his 4th hit on his 103rd pitch of the game via a double by Parmalee. It was the first extra-base hit by Minnesota in 25 innings. So Wedge decided to pull Vargas for Wilhemsen, our usual 8th inning guy, who proceeded to load the bases by walking the first two batters he faced. Then, Span hit a ball back to the mound which Wilhelmsen barehanded. He had plenty of time for the force at home, but for some reason whipped around and went for the force at 2nd. Well, he had a wild throw and Ackley had to work to keep it from going into the outfield and causing more damage. The run scored, the bases were still loaded. So instead of a minimum 2 outs with the bases still loaded (and possibly being out of the inning via a 1-2-3 DP) the score was now 2-1, bases still loaded, only 1 out. The next batter, Carroll, took the count full and he hit a grounder to Smoak who went to second to try and start a 3-6-3 DP. We were only able to get the first part, forcing Span. The runner scored, tying the game. Wilhelmsen was replaced with a round of boos, and Furbush then gave up the lead on a single by Mauer. That was the ballgame. Wilhelmsen has probably been our most solid relief pitcher this year, but he just didn't have a good outing. To top it off he had a brain fart. I don't care what team you are playing, you can not give a ML team an extra out.
Sometimes it is the little things that turn into the game changers. Carroll kept Ryan's single from making it through the infield, saving an RBI. Wilhelsmen, with a brain fart, lets the Twins off the hook.
The Mariners are now 0-3 on Fridays, and 2-5 when I attend.
The Roof was closed.
Attendance : 22,492
Time of Game: 2:42
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