It’s become a familiar situation: Brian Dozier hits a home run, but the Minnesota Twins lose. This time it was No. 40 in a 4-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers.
“It stinks because they are going to expect this every year from me,” Dozier told the Star Tribune. “That’s the only thing.”
Forty is a significant number. Only three other second basemen — Davey Johnson, Ryne Sandberg and Rogers Hornsby — have reached that number, and Harmon Killebrew is the only other player in Twins history to reach or surpass it.
He also passed Alfonso Soriano as the AL single-season home run leader among players who played second base as their primary position.
Still, all the home runs are tainted by the Twins’ losing. Of Dozier’s 40 homers, 23 have come in losses.
“At the end of the year, after everything is over, I can go home and reflect on the season,” he told the Star Tribune. “I can reflect on the 40 a little bit more. Still, right now, if we were in the Tigers’ position or like Cleveland and can make a push, it might feel a little different.
“For me, it’s just another home run.”
Ian Kinsler got the scoring started with a 1st inning home run. Dozier tied things up in the third, and Kurt Suzuki hit his seventh homer of the year in the fourth to take a 2-1 lead. But Alex Wimmers gave up two runs in the seventh, and Miguel Cabrera homered in the eighth to seal the win.
“I’m really proud of what he’s been able to do,” manager Paul Molitor told the Star Tribune when asked about Dozier. “I’m sure 39 is a number that is hard not to think about every time you go to the batter’s box. I’m pleased for him. Unfortunately it came in a game we were unable to win.’’
[Star Tribune, Associated Press]
