The Minnesota Twins were up 3-1 in the ninth inning with All-Star closer Glen Perkins on the mound, but a Lorenzo Cain single, Eric Hosmer triple and Kendrys Morales sac fly tied the game up.
A throwing error on a pickoff attempt and a wild pitch by reliever Trevor May sealed the deal. Christian Colon led off the 10th with a four-pitch walk, Terrance Gore pinch-ran for Colon and advanced to third on the errant pickoff attempt, and scored on May’s wild pitch.
“He’s so fast that anything that scoots away like that, he’s going to make it there,” Mike Moustakas told the Associated Press. “I was happy he ended up going. I think he hesitated for a split second. If I’m hesitating, I’m walking back to third base, and he’s sliding headfirst into home plate and winning a game. It’s unreal how fast he is, but it’s awesome.”
Much like he did on Friday, outfielder Eddie Rosario dove for a ball — in this case Hosmer’s line drive — missed it and it led to a triple. Perkins, however, took the blame for blowing the save.
“I didn’t make the pitches,” Perkins told the Star Tribune. “That [pitch to Hosmer] was on 0-2. I had Kendrys Morales 0-2. I just couldn’t make a pitch to get those guys out. It doesn’t have anything to do with Rosario.”
Outside of the late-game collapse, the Twins played well throughout the game. Ricky Nolasco pitched seven innings and only gave up one run. Joe Mauer reached on all five plate appearances. Eduardo Nunez had four hits, tying a career high.
And they forced out Opening Day starter Edinson Volquez in the sixth inning after he gave up two runs on eight hits.
Yet, they return home winless after playing five close games, and one blowout, including nearly escaping Kansas City with their first victory.
“We’re going home 0-6, and it stares at you right in the face,” Molitor said. “We all get that. You’re hoping with the way our year went last year, our spring training [this year], people would have expectations and all that.
“You want to get out to a better start. We have to take a step back and try to keep things in perspective a little bit. A couple games go your way, you’re feeling a little bit different than the 0-6.”
[Star Tribune, Associated Press]
