Minneapolis. Minnesota’s bullpen, and the prospect of remaining in first place, took a much-needed turn toward improvement this week.
The trade deadline was a real relief for them.
Jorge Polanco had a pair of RBIs with two outs and José Miranda homered for the Twinswho beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-3 on Saturday following a stellar bullpen performance.
“It’s a really good feeling to go to the bullpen right now and know what we’re sending to attack the opposition,” manager Rocco Baldelli said following six relievers teamed up to allow two hits and one run in five innings. . “Our guys are excited to come into these games at these positions where they can help us win a game right now. His confidence gives me confidence, and I think it gives the rest of the group confidence as well.”
the all star Luis Arraez he went 3-for-5 with an RBI for the Twins, who maintained their two-game lead over Cleveland in the AL Central. They have been at the top on 103 of the last 104 days.
Arraez doubled twice and scored on Polanco’s two crucial hits: a third-inning single off Blue Jays starter Mitch White (1-3) and a fifth-inning double following White was replaced by Tim Mayza.
“We have a bullpen. We have openers. We have everything,” Arráez said. “We just need to play hard and stay healthy.”
Game over. pic.twitter.com/87MyWdECLc
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) August 7, 2022
Bo Bichette hit a two-run homer to tie the Twins’ starter, Dylan Bundyin the fourth inning and an RBI single in the eighth, but John Duran blocked that rally.
After inheriting runners on the corners with one out in the eighth and giving up a Bichette spike up the middle, the right-hander who leads the majors in 100 mph pitches gave up Matt Chapman his fourth strikeout of the game on a 101 mph fastball and retired Whit Merrifield on a groundout on fielder’s choice to end the inning with a 5-3 lead.
The wild card-leading Blue Jays, who are three games ahead of Baltimore, the first club below the three-team cut, did not threaten following that.
Trevor Megill (3-1) opened the relay parade with a perfect fifth, and the newly acquired closer Jorge Lopez finished with a hitless ninth following blowing his save opportunity Friday in the Twins’ 6-5, 10-inning victory.
