Bullpen woes continued for the Twins (6-7) but Luis Arraez and the offense finally came through in the clutch to snap a five-game losing streak with a 4-3 walk-off win over the Red Sox (9-4) on Thursday afternoon.
In the bottom of the ninth, Arraez led off with a single – his fourth hit of the game – and Jorge Polanco was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second with nobody out. Nelson Cruz struck out before Max Kepler blooped a single to center field to allow Arraez to score easily for the winning run.
A BLOOP, AND A WIN!#MNTwins pic.twitter.com/ksGByT6s0r
— FanDuel Sports Network North (@FanDuelSN_NOR) April 15, 2021
The ninth inning heroics were needed after Minnesota’s bullpen once again failed in the late innings as Taylor Rogers gave up a 3-run double to Alex Verdugo that tied the game 3-3.
Rogers was trying to clean up a mess made by Hansel Robles, who walked two batters before Rogers entered the game.
Michael Pineda started the game for the Twins and gave up just two hits while striking out six over seven shutout innings.
More good news for the Twins: Miguel Sano may have busted out of his early season slump with a mammoth home run to left field. His blast was measured at 404 feet.
🚨 SEVERE WEATHER SIRENS 🚨
It’s Sano-ing at Target Field! pic.twitter.com/8IlWKYzLR0
— FanDuel Sports Network North (@FanDuelSN_NOR) April 15, 2021
The win snaps Minnesota’s five-game losing skid and ends Boston’s nine-game win streak.
