A slow night with the bats coupled with a costly error led to the Twins to a loss in the opening game of a nine-game homestand, falling 3-2 to the Mets Monday night.
New York scored twice in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Robinson Cano and an error by Jonathan Schoop, and that was as about much as they’d need before adding a run on Michael Conforto’s infield single in the sixth.
The Twins got a solo homer from Schoop in the third and another run on a groundout by Max Kepler in the fourth, but nothing more. Minnesota loaded the bases in the ninth but Nelson Cruz fouled out to end the game.
The loss drops the Twins to 58-35, and with Cleveland beating the Tigers Monday night, the gap between the top two teams in the AL Central is back down to 5 games.
The Twins host New York Wednesday at 12:10 p.m. while the Indians are at home against the Tigers at 6:10 p.m.
Schoop injured, Buxton to the IL
Before the game, Minnesota activated both C.J. Cron and Eddie Rosario from the injured list, but also placed Byron Buxton on the 7-day injured list as he goes through concussion protocol after hitting his head on the ground while making a diving catch in Saturday’s win over Cleveland.
The Twins then got a scare in the ninth inning when Schoop grimaced in pain, grabbing his left side after a couple of swings. He was pulled from the game as a precaution and it’s unclear at this point if he’ll miss any time.
If Schoop is out, the Twins can give more at-bats to up-and-coming rookie Luis Arraez, who’s slashing .385/.450/.510 with two homers and six doubles in 30 games this season.
