Tasked with beating All-Star right-hander Lucas Giolito, the Twins couldn’t come up with a big divisional win Thursday afternoon as they lost at home 4-0 to the White Sox.
Giolito was in command from start to finish, allowing just three hits while striking out 12 in a complete-game shutout. Meanwhile, Twins All-Star right-hander Jake Odorizzi struggled, giving up four runs (three earned) on eight hits and a walk over five innings.
Odorizzi had a 1.92 ERA following his 13th start of the season June 9, but has a 5.98 ERA in his 12 starts since. He’s also completed six innings in only eight of 25 starts this season, and he’s pitched seven innings just twice. He hasn’t recorded an out in the eighth inning of any his starts this season.
Minnesota managed just three hits, one on a bunt single by Jorge Polanco, a hard single to left by Nelson Cruz. Cruz’s single left the bat at 117 mph, making it the hardest hit ball of the season by a Twin. Jonathan Schoop was the only Twins hitter to reach second base with a double in the eight inning.
Nelson Cruz's single just clocked in at a cool 117.0 mph off the bat.
That's his hardest batted ball of the season.
The only players this season with harder base hits: Schwarber, Yelich, Sánchez, Alonso, Vlad Jr., Aquino, Stanton.
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) August 21, 2019
Eddie Rosario also left the game with tightness in his hamstring, and his status at the moment appears to be day-to-day.
The loss drops Minnesota’s lead over the Indians in the AL Central race to 2.5 game, pending Cleveland’s game Thursday night against the Mets.
The Twins get Thursday off before opening a three-game home series against the Tigers Friday-Sunday.
