Final
Twins eye rebound effort against Pirates
May 19, 2015 - 2:09 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Minnesota Twins pay a visit to PNC Park on Tuesday night to begin a brief two-game interleague set with the Pittsburgh Pirates.Minnesota is in the thick of the competitive American League Central Division at 21-17, three games back of the first-place Kansas City Royals. The Twins just took two of three from the Tampa Bay Rays at home over the weekend, although they are coming off Sunday's 11-3 loss.
They were out-hit by a 19-6 margin in that one, although it was still a 3-1 ballgame entering the sixth inning when starter Kyle Gibson exited. However, Minnesota's bullpen then proceeded to give up eight runs over the final four innings, including a five-run sixth.
"I would've liked to get a few more innings under my belt," said Gibson, who had posted a 0.96 ERA over his previous four outings. "Five innings leaves a lot of pressure on the 'pen with four innings against a pretty tough team."
Pittsburgh followed up a recent four-game win streak with four straight losses, although the team did end that skid with a 3-0 decision over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Sunday.
That outcome brought an end to Chicago's six-game win streak as Pirates starter A.J. Burnett pitched seven shutout innings and allowed only three hits to lower his ERA to 1.38. The veteran right-hander did issue five walks, although he also struck out seven.
Burnett is the first Pirates pitcher since before record-keeping began in 1900 to yield two runs or less in each of his first eight starts.
"Things are going good, plays are being made, guys are playing hard," Burnett said. "It's a funny game, because you can also go out there, make your pitch, and not get the results you want."
Neil Walker and Starling Marte each posted RBI doubles to spark Pittsburgh's offense in Sunday's win.
Starting Tuesday's opener for Pittsburgh is Francisco Liriano. For the first time as a Pirate, Liriano faces the organization that he pitched for between 2005-12.
The southpaw sports a 2.96 ERA through seven starts this season but has only one win to his credit. Things won't get any easier here, considering the Twins have hit .292 as a team against lefties. Liriano is coming off back-to-back losses, although he did post a quality start at Philadelphia on Wednesday as he went seven innings and allowed three earned runs.
For Minnesota, Ricky Nolasco brings a 6.38 ERA into Tuesday's opener but eyes his fourth straight victory since getting roughed up by Detroit in his season debut. The right-hander's most recent outing was also his best to this point, as he yielded only a pair of unearned runs on four hits while striking out seven and walking three in 5 1/3 innings.
These clubs last faced each other during the 2012 season.
- MINNESOTA: 8
PITTSBURGH: 5
Final
May 19 10:00 PM - Harrison singled to right, Marte scored, P.Alvarez to second.
Twins 8, Pirates 5 Bot 7, 1 OutMay 19 9:26 PM - Josh Harrison singles to right field. Pedro Alvarez to second. Starling Marte scores.
Twins 8, Pirates 6 Bot 7, 1 OutMay 19 9:26 PM - N.Walker doubled to right, Harrison scored, Polanco to third.
Twins 8, Pirates 4 Bot 6, 2 OutsMay 19 9:03 PM - Neil Walker doubles to deep right field. Gregory Polanco to third. Josh Harrison scores.
Twins 8, Pirates 5 Bot 6, 2 OutsMay 19 9:02 PM - Jung Ho grounded out, shortstop D.Santana to first baseman Mauer, N.Walker scored.
Twins 8, Pirates 3 Bot 5, 2 OutsMay 19 8:43 PM - Jung-Ho Kang grounds out to shortstop, Danny Santana to Joe Mauer. Neil Walker scores.
Twins 8, Pirates 3 Bot 5, 1 OutMay 19 8:43 PM - S.Robinson grounded into a double play, shortstop Jung Ho to first baseman P.Alvarez, Suzuki scored, Hicks out.
Twins 8, Pirates 1 Top 3, 2 OutsMay 19 7:59 PM - Shane Robinson grounds out to shortstop. Aaron Hicks out at second. Kurt Suzuki scores.
Twins 8, Pirates 1 Top 3, 0 OutsMay 19 7:59 PM - Tabata infield single to second, Jung Ho scored, P.Alvarez to third, Cervelli to second.
Twins 7, Pirates 1 Bot 2, 2 OutsMay 19 7:52 PM - Jose Tabata singles to second base. Francisco Cervelli to second. Pedro Alvarez to third. Jung-Ho Kang scores.
Twins 7, Pirates 1 Bot 2, 2 OutsMay 19 7:52 PM - Trevor Plouffe homers to left field. Joe Mauer scores.
Twins 7, Pirates 0 Top 2, 2 OutsMay 19 7:40 PM - Mauer singled to left, S.Robinson scored, D.Santana scored, Dozier scored.
Twins 5, Pirates 0 Top 2, 2 OutsMay 19 7:39 PM - Joe Mauer singles to left field, advances to 2nd. Brian Dozier scores. Danny Santana scores. Shane Robinson scores.
Twins 5, Pirates 0 Top 2, 2 OutsMay 19 7:38 PM - Danny Santana grounds out to second base, Neil Walker to Pedro Alvarez.
May 19 7:08 PM - MINNESOTA: 0
PITTSBURGH: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
May 19 7:07 PM
Related News
- Greatest Minnesota Twins: The Twinkie Town Definitive List (Round 9) Dec 26
- The season of perpetual hope (Pt. 3 of 3): Jim Eisenreich Dec 24
- Rival Roundup, Vol. 47: Home for the Holidays Dec 23
- Pirates Top Games of 2023: No. 6 - Drew Maggi gets his moment Dec 23
- The Pirates got it right with Andrew McCutchen Dec 22
- Bucs Arghticles: Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen makes comments after signing Dec 22
- Pirates targeting first baseman in upcoming MLB Draft Dec 22
- Bucs Arghticles: Pirates sign Ryan Mattson Dec 21
- Pirates Top Games of 2023: No. 7 - Johan Oviedo shuts out the Royals Dec 20
- Andrew McCutchen re-signs with Pirates for 2024 season Dec 19
- Talk the Plank Podcast: The Pirates are a bit ‘Rowdy’ Dec 19
- Greatest Minnesota Twins: The Twinkie Town Definitive List (Round 8) Dec 19