Good afternoon from Target Field where it’s 80 and sunny and supposed to remain so throughout the day and into the night.
It’s Ervin Santana (R, 8-3, 2.20 ERA) vs. Sam Gaviglio (R, 2-1, 2.79) today. Santana had a four-inning outing against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, but pitched a complete game shutout against the Giants in San Francisco.
“You know he’s gonna have a plan. And a lot of his plan generally, regardless of who he faces, centers around making sure that they’re fastball aware, and that he’s confident in throwing it, and getting it in on righties and lefties,” said Twins manager Paul Molitor.
“Last game was very high-end, and going out there efficient and really not causing even a stir in the bullpen throughout the course of the game. You’re just hoping that he goes out there and is just something close to what he’s been the majority of his starts this year.”
Molitor has Miguel Sano back in the lineup today after Eduardo Escobar spelled him at third last night. Escobar will take over at short, however, after a career-high five-hit game last night.
“He was maybe forcing it a little bit for a while, I think that it’s common for guys even that have a little experience as utility players that try to do too much when they get a chance to play. and I think he’s just kinda letting it fly right now,” said Molitor regarding Escobar.
“We all know he’s got the ability to find the barrel really well when he gets hot, and he’s certainly in one of those zones right now.”
Rosario became the seventh Twin to hit three home runs in a game yesterday, a 28-hit outburst that was the highest hit total in team history. Current teammates Brian Dozier (Sep. 5, 2016) and Max Kepler (Aug. 1, 2016) had three-homer games last season.
Asked if there was any merit to the hot hand, Molitor said: “Every game you gotta go out and play, and you gotta do it again. There’s no guarantees, but I do think there’s something to a guy feeling good about how he’s swinging regardless of who might be pitching.”
The Mariners counter with a dangerous lineup of their own, one that produced 14 runs on the Twins on Monday:
Sano leading third basemen in All-Star Game voting
As of yesterday morning, Miguel Sano is leading AL third basemen in All-Star Game voting. He has 1,010,060 votes. Jose Ramirez is next with 697,747.
“Anybody that has an opportunity, particularly the first time, to experience an All-Star festivity for two, three days, it’s special and unique,” said Molitor, a seven-time All-Star.
“The fact that he’s on the map to get to that game is the map that you can to continue to use, and just go out there and continue to play — don’t try to force those things to happen, because that usually doesn’t work out too well.”
Santiago progressing
Hector Santiago was in the clubhouse and in good spirits today. He will throw a bullpen tomorrow, which will determine if he’s healthy to pitch in Saturday’s doubleheader.
“We’ll have to think about if he’s gonna need to throw another side, if he’s gonna potentially be activated sometime relatively close to the date that he can return. But tomorrow will be a little bit better indicator for him,” said Molitor.
If Santiago cannot go, it creates a bit of a conundrum as to who will start.
“I think we’ll find someone to pitch the game,” Molitor said in jest. “The hard part is how our seven-man bullpen is used between now and Saturday, and what we might have to do to make sure we’re protected.”
I’ll be covering today and tomorrow. Brandon will be back over the weekend. Follow me @tschreier3.
