The Minnesota Twins opened the second half of their season with an impressive 5-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics.
It was Minnesota’s 50th victory of the season, a milestone they didn’t reach last year until August 3.
The Twins took the early lead once again thanks to the bat of Brian Dozier. He continued his tear as he led off the game with his 20th home run of the year.
#ICYMI How does @BrianDozier get the post-Break started for the #MNTwins? With a homer. Duh. http://t.co/4lwW77bUBM pic.twitter.com/27h0EauBTu
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) July 18, 2015
The score stayed 1-0 until the top of the sixth, when Trevor Plouffe ripped an 0-2 pitch from Sonny Gray for a grand slam to put the Twins up 5-0.
#ICYMI: Give yourself a round of applause, @TPlouffe24. That’s a grand slam! #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/s3lVrSg20P
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) July 18, 2015
Gray gave up five runs over six innings, he struck out four and walked three.
Ties for most earned runs against Gray this season
— LaVelle E. Neal III (@LaVelleNeal) July 18, 2015
In the meantime Twins starter Ervin Santana (1-1) was on his game. He allowed one run on five hits over 7 2/3 innings, to pick up his first victory with the Twins.
Brian Duensing recorded the final four outs to complete the shutout.
At the plate, Plouffe led the way for the Twins, he was 2-for-4. Eddie Rosario was 2-for-4 and Torii Hunter was 2-for-4 with a run scored.
Phil Hughes (8-6) takes the mound for the Twins Saturday evening against Oakland lefty Scott Kazmir.
