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2023 – The Twins shut out the White Sox in a get-away afternoon game by a score of 4-0, winning the four-game series, three games to one. The shutout marked their 11th this season, sixth away from Target Field. Sonny Gray (8-7) was the starter and winner, pitching 7 shutout innings, with five hits allowed, no walks and six strikeouts. The offense scored all four runs off home runs, a three-run shot in the fifth inning from Edouard Julien and a solo shot in the eighth inning from Jorge Polanco. The homer for Polanco was the 111th of his career, passing Roy Smalley and moving into solo possession on the Twins all-time (since 1961) home runs list by a switch hitter. The Twins with their magic number at six move on to Cincinnati. Box Score
2022 – 12 HOURS OF BASEBALL, TWO BIG L’s: The Twins lost both games of the doubleheader at Progressive Field, dropping game one by a score of 5-1 and game two by a score of 7-6 in 15 innings — the longest game in the majors this season and second-longest in the current extra-innings rule era (LAD at SD, 16 innings — August 25, 2021). Rookie Louie Varland (0-1) was the game one starter, making his second major league appearance, allowing four runs on nine hits in 5 innings pitched. The offense recorded just four hits in the first game, highlighted by Matt Wallner’s first career home run in his major league debut, a solo shot of Shane Bieber in the eighth inning. The Guardians had 14 hits. Box Score
Josh Winder made the start in game two, allowing four runs on six hits in 4.2 innings pitched. The offense scored five runs in the top of the eighth inning of the second game, highlighted by a Nick Gordon two-run, game-tying homer, his eighth of the season. Both teams scored a run in 13th inning but when the smoke cleared in the 15th inning the fans could see that the Twins had been walked off 7-6 on a Jermaine Palacios error that allowed the winning run to score. The Twins seventh pitcher Derek Rodriguez (0-1) who was called up prior to the game took the loss after pitching 3.2 innings and allowing 2 runs, both unearned, on 3 hits while striking out two. All he got after the game was a thank you from Rocco Baldelli and a trip back to St. Paul. It was the eighth consecutive loss to the Guardians. Game two turned out to be the Twins longest game of the season in terms of innings at 15 and also in terms of time at 5 hours and 24 minutes. The was an interesting game, to get more of the details you might want to read Laura H. Peebles detailed account of the game below. Box Score
Amed Rosario records eight hits, and a walk-off knock, in doubleheader sweep by Laura H. Peebles
2021 – The Twins beat the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre by a score of 7-3. Michael Pineda (7-8) was the starter and winner for the Twins, allowing three runs (1 earned) on three hits in 5.2 innings pitched. Jorge Alcala (1.1 IP), Tyler Duffey (1.0 IP) and Alex Colomé (1.0 IP) combined for 3.1 scoreless innings of relief. The offense recorded 10 hits as Jorge Polanco (31), Josh Donaldson (23) and Miguel Sanó (29) hit back-to-back-to-back homers in the third inning making it the 10th time in Twins history (since 1961) they hit three-consecutive home runs and first time since April 26, 2019 vs. Baltimore when Nelson Cruz, Eddie Rosario and C.J. Cron did so. Brent Rooker returned from the Paternity List and went 2-for-4 with a double (9) and a home run (8). With the win, the Twins have won eight-straight games at Rogers Centre (since August 27, 2017), their longest winning streak in this ballpark, surpassing their previous high of seven. The four home runs today made it eight times that they have hit four in one game this season. Andrelton Simmons did not make the trip to Toronto because he has some restrictions on leaving the country as he works towards getting US citizenship. Box Score
2020 – The Twins lost to the White Sox in the afternoon series finale at Guaranteed Rate Field by a score of 4-3, dropping just their fourth series of the season (11-4-2). Kenta Maeda was the starter but received a ND for his work allowing two runs on five hits in 5 innings. With the Twins up 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh Tyler Clippard put runners at first and third with two out and was replaced by Sergio Romo who promptly gave up a single and a double and the White Sox scored twice taking a 4-3 lead that they would not relinquish. The win guaranteed a spot in the playoffs for Chicago and moved them three games up in the standings on Minnesota with just eight to play, things look bleak for the Twins to defend their division title in 2020. Byron Buxton had the big stick going 3 for 4 with two home runs, two RBI and two runs scored. Buxton has now hit seven HR’s in his last nine games. Josh Donaldson (5), (who also hit a lead-off home run) leading off the sixth inning ended up getting ejected from the game when he kicked dirt on home plate after his run around the bases. Donaldson was apparently showing his dislike for home plate umpire Dan Bellino’s earlier ball and strike calls. Ehire Adrianzza replaced Donaldson but when the White Sox took a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the seventh it kind of came back to bite the Twins in the butt because Adrianza batted in Donaldson’s spot in the 8th inning and went down swinging. Box Score
2019 – The Twins beat the White Sox 9-8 in walk-off fashion, (only their 4th this season) overcoming two extra-inning deficits in 12 innings in a game that lasted 4 hours and 51 minutes. Ronald Torreyes, in just his sixth plate appearance as a Twin, was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, scoring Marwin Gonzalez from third base. Martín Pérez was the starter but did not factor into the decision, allowing three runs on 10 hits in 4.2 innings pitched. Twins pitchers allowed 20 hits, marking their third ever win (since 1961) with allowing as many hits. Ryne Harper (4-2) gets the win. Nelson Cruz reached 600 career walks, Eddie Rosario reached 100 RBI for the season and Miguel Sanó hit his 30th homer. Sanó’s homer marked the fifth Twin player with 30-plus, setting a new major league record. Box Score
2018 – The Twins beat the Tigers last night by a score of 6-1 at Comerica Park. Gabriel Moya was the Opening pitcher and threw a scoreless first inning. Kohl Stewart was the Primary pitcher tossing 6.0 innings, allowing one unearned run on three hits and earned career win number two. Jorge Polanco and Eddie Rosario each hit home runs. Polanco and Robbie Grossman who had two doubles led the Twins with two hits each. The four Twins pitchers held the Tigers to just five hits. Box Score
2016 – The Twins lose to the Mets at Citi Field 3-2 in 12 innings. After leading off the bottom of the 11th inning with an opposite-field, game-tying home run, Curtis Granderson hit a game-ending blast in the bottom of the 12th to give the Mets their fifth walk off win of the season. Both Eddie Rosario and Byron Buxton homered for the Twins in a losing cause with Buxton’s blast coming in the top of the 11th but the Twins could not hold the 2-1 lead. Ervin Santana started for the Twins and went seven scoreless innings allowing just 4 hits and striking out nine. Ryan O’Rourke who only pitched in a total of 13 big leagues games for the Twins (2015-2016) took his first and only big league decision as a Minnesota Twins pitcher when he was pinned with the loss. Box Score
2012 – No game today, scheduled day off.
2011 – The Twins honored long time radio broadcaster John Gordon, who is set to retire after the season, in a pregame ceremony at Target Field. Gordon, 71, is finishing his 25th season with the Twins. He started calling games for the club in 1987, when the franchise won its first World Series title. Gordon, who is known for his trademark “Touch ‘Em All” call when a Twins player homers, made sure to utilize his signature phrase when thanking fans at the end of the ceremony. “You fans are the greatest,” Gordon said. “Hey Twins fans, ‘Touch ‘Em All.'”
video of John Gordon being inducted into Twins Hall of Fame in 2016
On the field the Twins get off to a horrendous start when starter Anthony Swarzak gives up 7 “earnies” in 1.2 innings and the Cleveland Indians spank the Minnesota Twins 10-4. First Baseman Chris Parmelee has 3 hits in 3 AB’s with a home run and 3 RBI and second baseman Brian Dinkelman goes 3 for 4. The Twins need to use 8 pitchers to get through the game in front of a home town crowd of 38,805 fans. Box Score
2009 – No Game today, scheduled day off.
2002 – Taking on the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park the Twins score two runs in the first, fifth and seventh innings and hold on to a 7 to 4. Brad Radke went six innings for the win and Eddie Guardado got his 42nd save with a scoreless ninth inning. Twins lead-off hitter Jacque Jones was 4 for 4 with a home run and 3 RBI and Luis Rivas who was hitting ninth was also 4 for 4 with a triple and two RBI. Box Score
The Twins announce that they will move their AAA team from Edmonton in the PCL to Rochester, NY in the International League for the 2003 season.
2001 – No Game Today. All MLB games postponed due to the 9/11 attacks. These games will be made up at the end of the season.
1988 – Each team gets only five hits as the Twins host the Chicago White Sox at the Metrodome but one of those five Twins hits is a Gary Gaetti two-run home run and they go on to a 3-1 win. The defending World Champion Twins win their 83rd game but are still 10.5 games back of the 94 win Oakland A’s. Allan Anderson goes 8 innings (124 pitches) allowing the one run and five hits for his 14th win of the season. Jeff Reardon became the first pitcher to save 40 games in both leagues as the Minnesota Twins beat the Chicago White Sox 3-1. Reardon, who saved 42 games for the Montreal Expos in 1985, pitched the ninth inning using just 9 pitches for his 40th save in 47 opportunities. Box Score
1987 – No Game Today, scheduled day off.
1981 – No game today, scheduled day off.
1962 – No Game Today, scheduled day off.
1961 – A huge Minnesota Vikings NFL debut as they trounce the Chicago Bears 37-13 at Metropolitan Stadium pushes the Minnesota Twins sweep of a twin-bill at Cleveland Stadium to page two of the Star Tribune sports page. We will learn over the years that the Vikings do indeed own the Minnesota sports landscape from day one. But we are here to talk Twins baseball so let’s get to it.
In game one Camilo Pascual pitches a complete game eight-hit shutout, his seventh of the season as he strikes out nine and wins game number fourteen against fifteen losses. It wasn’t easy and Pascual struggled through the first five innings before getting things under control and retiring 14 of his last 16 batters. Joe Altobelli hit cleanup for the Twins and did his job going 2 for 4 including a home run with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored. Lenny Green and Billy Martin also had two hits each. Indians starter Jim Perry (10-15) took the loss. Box Score game one
In game two the Twins again scored five runs and Twins starter Al Schroll with relief help from Ray Moore in the eighth inning held on for a 5-3 win giving the Twins a sweep on the day and moved them into seventh place. Schroll went 7.2 innings allowing 3 runs of which only 1 was earned on 6 hits and 3 walks while striking out four, earning the win to even his record on the season at 3 wins and 3 losses. Hal Naragon had two of the Twins six hits and Joe Altobelli was again in the middle of the action when in the second inning he beat out a slow roller to second for a hit, advanced to second when Allison walked, went to third when Naragon flew out to center field and then scored on a passed ball. Mudcat Grant (14-9) went seven for the Indians giving up all five runs and taking the loss. The 66-83 Twins are now off to Washington where they will play their final road series of the season against the ninth place Senators. Box Score game two
