A cold day at Target Field kept the bats quiet for a second consecutive game as the Indians topped the Twins 2-1 on Saturday afternoon.
With the temperature in the mid-30s, Jake Odorizzi and Trevor Bauer engaged in a pitcher’s duel that ended with Minnesota’s newest bullpen member blowing it in the ninth inning.
Odorizzi tied a career high with 11 strikeouts in just six innings, but two wild pitches and an inability to throw strikes cost right-handed reliever Blake Parker in the ninth inning as he surrendered the go-ahead sacrifice fly that turned into the game-winning run.
Minnesota got a leadoff bloop double from Byron Buxton to start the bottom of the ninth, but they left the bases loaded as C.J. Cron popped out to shallow right field to end the game.
Odorizzi’s 11 strikeouts followed a 10-strikeout performance by Jose Berrios in Thursday’s season opener, making them the second duo in MLB history to begin a season with back-to-back double-digit strikeout performances.
Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling were the first in 2001 with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Twins and Indians wrap up the series Sunday afternoon at 1:10 p.m., when the temperature is expected to reach 42 degrees.
