One-and-done has new meaning for Twins
Pitch limits were at an all-time low for Twins relievers in Kansas City last night. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Buddy Boshers relieved Ryan Pressly and threw one pitch to Eric Hosmer; it was hit for a single. Tyler Duffey then replaced Boshers and threw but one pitch, which was grounded down the left-field line by Salvador Perez for an RBI double. After Duffey stuck around for a no-pitch intentional walk, Taylor Rogers took his turn for the Twins, retiring Brandon Moss on one pitch before taking his leave. Alan Busenitz finished off the inning for Minnesota, throwing five pitches (what stamina!) to finish off the frame.
It had been a little more than 10 years since the last time that a major-league team had as many as three pitchers throw exactly one pitch in a game. The circumstances were quite similar on Aug. 21, 2007, with the Royals at bat in the eighth inning. White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen used a new pitcher for every batter in the inning. Ehren Wassermann recorded the first out on six pitches, then he gave way to Mike Myers, who was pulled after allowing a first-pitch single. Ryan Bukvich wasn’t much better, allowing a single on his only pitch as well. Matt Thornton cleaned up the damage with his one pitch, coaxing a double-play ground ball from Alex Gordon to end the inning.