May 1 – This Day in Twins History

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2023 – No baseball today, Twins have a scheduled day off.

2022 – The Twins beat the Tampa Rays at Tropicana Field by a score of 9-3, winning the rubber game and taking their third straight series (now 3-2-2 in series play), the Twins outscored the Rays 19-10  and out-hit them 30-20. Rookie Josh Winder (1-0) made his first career start (4th appearance) and earned his first win, pitching 6 shutout innings with two hits allowed, one walk and seven strikeouts. Cole Sands made his major league debut, allowing two runs on three hits in 2 innings pitched. Twins hitters recorded 12 hits led by Jorge Polanco who went 2-for-5 with two doubles and four RBI. Josh Winder became the first pitcher in Twins history with 6 shutout innings and two-or-fewer hits allowed in his first major league start. Winder becomes the eighth pitcher in Twins history to through 6 plus scoreless in his first MLB start — the others were Devin Smeltzer (2019), Andrew Albers (2013), Anthony Swarzak (2009), Benj Sampson (1998), Eric Milton (1998), Rick Lysander (1983) and Jim Roland (1963). The Twins have started this seven game road-trip with a 2-1 record and are now off to play the Orioles in Baltimore in four games. Due to the lockout and shortened Spring Training MLB allowed teams to carry a 28 man roster through today but after today the Twins like all other teams must reduce their roster to 26 players with no more than 14 pitchers. Box Score

 

 

 

 

 

2021 – The Twins beat the Kansas City Royals by eight runs yesterday at Target Field and the Royals decided to return the favor by beating the Twins 11-3 today. Matt Shoemaker (1-3) was the Twins starter and loser, allowing nine runs (8 earned) on eight hits in 3.1 innings and 68 pitches. The Royals built up a 10-0 lead after six innings and coasted to the win with starter Danny Duffy (4-1) picking up the win with seven two-hit innings and one run allowed. The Twins had just five hits and two were home runs from Alex Kirilloff (3) and Nelson Cruz (8). Box Score

 

 

 

 

 

2020 – The Twins were going to be in Anaheim to start a week-end series with the Angels but as we all know the season thus far has been postponed/canceled due to COVID-19. Counting today it means we have missed 32 games so far. That is 20% of the season now gone. MLB talks continue about finding a way to start the season in some fashion.

2019 – Martin Perez has a great start going 8 innings and allowing just four hits on his way to his fourth win of the season. Perez struck out seven and walked two. Jonathan Schoop hit the Twins only home run while Jorge Polanco and Nelson Cruz each contributed two hits including a double to propel the Twins to a 6-2 victory in which each team had seven hits. Box Score 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2018 – The Twins lose to the Blue Jays at Target Field again, this time by a score of 7-4 in 10 innings. Kyle Gibson was the starter but did not factor into the decision. John Curtiss was issued the loss allowing three runs in the top of the 10th inning on two hits, two walks, and two wild pitches and retiring just one batter before being taken out of the game. All in all it was a bad game for the now 9-16 Minnesota Twins all around. Gregorio Petit playing in his first Twins game was 2 for 3, Eddie Rosario was 2 for 4 with a home run and double to go with his 3 RBI, and Joe Mauer hit his first home run of the season. Box Score

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017 – Sam Mele who managed the Twins to their first World Series in 1965 passed away at the age of 95. Mele was the Twins second manager, replacing Cookie Lavagetto in 1961. Mele was fired and replaced by Cal Ermer in 1967. The Twins were the only team that Mele managed and he had a 522-431 record. Mele had also played in the majors for 10 season with six different teams including the Washington Senators.

2015 – The Twins defeat the White Sox 1-0 at Target Field with the only run scoring on a wild pitch. Kyle Gibson pitched eight strong innings allowing just four hits, Kennys Vargas scored on a wild pitch and Glen Perkins was credited with the save. Over the last 40 years, Minnesota has won only one other 1-0 game with the only run scoring on a wild pitch or passed ball. That was in Boston in 1985; Bruce Hurst‘s wild pitch allowed Dave Engle to score and Mike Smithson threw a shutout. Box Score

 

 

 

 

 

2011 – The Twins were losing to the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium when Twins starter Carl Pavano was removed from the game after giving up 7 runs in 5.1 innings. Pavano returned to the dugout where he grabbed a bat and started flailing away at a garbage can in frustration. Pavano put some good swings on that garbage can, better than his teammates did on the field in the 10-3 loss to the Royals. You can see the video here. Justin Morneau contributed a home run and Alexi Casilla had two triples in the game. Box Score

 

 

 

 

 

2009 – Joe Mauer makes his delayed season debut memorable by hitting a home run in his first at-bat during the Twins’ 7-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals at the Metrodome.  Joe goes 2 for 3 with a double and a home run, scores three times and knocks in one. The two-time batting champion, who missed spring training and the team’s first 22 games while recovering from an inflammation in his lower back, gets his fourth standing ovation of the night as the 2-0 first-inning fastball thrown by Sidney Ponson sails into the left-field stands. Justin Morneau was also 2 for 3 with a home run, 3 RBI and one run scored. Box Score

2005 – Johan Santana loses to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at the Metrodome 2-1 and suffers his first defeat in his last 20 starts going back to 2004. Santana had pitched a great game allowing only two hits in 8 innings while striking out seven but unfortunately for him they were both home runs. Santana had won 17 games without a loss. The Twins only had four hits themselves, two of them by Shannon Stewart and one of his hits was a home run. Angels starter Bartolo Colon went 7.1 innings allowing just 2 hits and striking out 7 Twins got the win. Box Score

 

 

 

 

 

1996 – It is a Twins first of its kind when the Twins beat the Royals 6-5 at the Metrodome in the 10th inning with a walk-off hit-by-pitch when Royals reliever Jeff Montgomery plunks the 0-4 Paul Molitor and forces in the winning run. Twins center fielder Rick Becker was 2 for 3 with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored. Dave Stevens blew the save but was awarded the win. Box Score

 

 

 

 

 

1980 – No game today, scheduled day off.

1978 – No game today, scheduled day off.

1975 – No game today, scheduled day off.

1974 – No game today, scheduled day off.

1973 – No game today. Twins versus Cleveland Indians game called on account of wet conditions and rescheduled July 12 at part of a DH.

1972 – No game today, scheduled day off.

1969 – The Twins beat the Pilots again for their sixth win in a row and their 14th win in their last 17 games. The Twins had 13 hits with 11 of them being singles. Rookie outfielder Charlie Manual was 2 for 3 with 2 RBI and is now hitting .400 in limited (24 PA’s). Dave Boswell started for Minnesota but was lifted with a 3-1 lead after facing one batter in the top of the sixth and replaced by Joe Grzenda. Grzenda earned the save with four scoreless innings of relief. Boswell was taken out due to strained ligaments in his knee, you can read about how that occurred below. With Boswell life was never boring. Box Score

1961 – The Twins get back on the winning side of the ledger with a 6-5 walk-off win over the White Sox on a Billy Gardner two-out double that gets past left fielder Minnie Minoso and scores Jim Lemon who has singled earlier for his fourth safety of the game. Gardner had 3 hits including a double while Harmon Killebrew hit his second home run of the season. Chuck Stobbs started for Minnesota and went six inning allowing 5 runs but ended up with a ND. Paul Giel pitched two scoreless innings and Ray Moore (2-1) pitched a scoreless ninth and was credited with his second win. 37-year-old reliever Turk Lown took the loss for the Mighty Whitey’s. Box Score

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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