Minnesota Twins 1
Chicago White Sox 3
The Twins were swept by the Windy City’s Sox on Sunday, after losing 4-10 on Friday and 7-2 on Saturday.
1. Happy Mother’s Day!
Both teams sported pink-accented uniforms to honor their mothers and promote breast-cancer awareness.
Let’s play ball, Mother's Day edition! 🎀 ⚾️ 🎀 ⚾️
Nunez, Polanco and Sano start us off. #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/ReNYVHPWa6
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) May 8, 2016
Will the pink laces get the best of Scott Diamond today? @BMileskiKFAN @LaVelleNeal #MothersDay #MNTwins
— NatesGreatRates (@NateTheGr889) May 8, 2016
You can watch a video by Fox of the players wishing their mothers, grandmothers and wives a Happy Mother’s Day below.
The #MNTwins wish their favorite ladies a Happy #MothersDay! https://t.co/n2CdL6Lg6F
— FanDuel Sports Network North (@FanDuelSN_NOR) May 8, 2016
2. Duffey had 4 strikeouts in 1 inning
Yup, you read that right. After striking out the first batter, Tyler Duffey’s third strike to Avisail Garcia was a wild curveball in the dirt that allowed him to make it safely to first base. Garcia ended up scoring later in the inning, but Duffey had two more strikeouts.
Tyler Duffey for the #MNTwins just struck out 4 batters in one inning. The #WhiteSox continue to lead 3-1.
— Bryan Leonard (@BLeonardSports) May 8, 2016
The rare feat was last achieved by a Twins pitcher – Francisco Liriano – on June 5, 2012 against the Kansas City Royals, says MLB.com.
Scott Baker also did it on 6/15/08. So Duffey becomes third #MNTwins pitcher ever with a 4K inning.
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) May 8, 2016
Duffey struck out a total of nine batters in seven innings on Sunday – a career high for the 25-year-old.
9⃣ strikeouts for @TheDoof13 through 7 IP. #MNTwins
💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) May 8, 2016
3. Injuries are hurting the lineup
The Twins may have the worst record in the American League right now (8-23), but a series of injuries has impacted their starting lineup.
White Sox catch some breaks today: Joe Mauer, Brian Dozier and Kurt Suzuki not in Twins starting lineup. Mauer is a .344 hitter vs. Quintana
— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) May 8, 2016
Two players were injured at Saturday’s game – Byung Ho Park was hit by a pitch and Kurt Suzuki took a direct shot off the front of his mask. Yet Park filled in for Joe Mauer at first base on Sunday.
Joe Mauer off again today, likely hoping to get the full day off. He's yet to not play in a game this season #MNTwins
— Ted (@tlschwerz) May 8, 2016
Shortstop Eduardo Escobar is on the disabled list for 15 days with a strained groin, and second baseman Brian Dozier has been out of the lineup since pulling his right hamstring on Wednesday.
Both Mauer and Dozier still made appearances in the ninth innings as pinch-hitters.
Even the White Sox Manager had something to say about the Twins’ injuries before Sunday’s games, reported CSN Chicago.
“These guys are a little banged up,” said White Sox manager Robin Ventura. “This is not the team that we saw at the beginning of the year or even last year. One, they’ve kind of shuffled the deck somewhat, and (two), they’re injured.”
Up next:
The Twins return to Target Field to take on the Baltimore Orioles Monday night. Jose Berrios (1-1) will take the mound against Tyler Wilson (1-1).
