Twins 11, White Sox 3: Another James Shields start

(Yinka Double Dare here, on Josh's computer drinking his New Glarus stock.)

An auspicious beginning, as Adam Eaton launched his 4th leadoff homer of the year (and 12th overall) to start things off right. James Shields gave it back with home run number 1 on the night, to Brian Dozier. The Sox retook the lead in the top of the 2nd as Todd Frazier walked, Avisail Garcia grounded into a fielders choice, Alex Avila walked after a Kevan Smith flyout, and Carlos Sanchez drove in Avi with a single to left. Shields gave it right back allowing a 2-run homer to Byron Buxton, he of the sub-.600 OPS.

And then it really went to hell in the 3rd. Eight runs crossed the plate for the Twins, as Shields gave up a 2 run homer (#3 on his brief night) to Miguel Sano, walked the next batter, and that was it for Shields. Jacob Turner entered and gave up a single to the immortal Juan Centeno, but Garcia managed to cut down Eddie Rosario trying to score, making it 2 out. Byron Buxton doubled, and then Dozier reached on a throwing error by Frazier, and boom went the dynamite after that. A ground rule double, a walk/wild pitch, a Trevor Plouffe homer, and another single and Turner was done, allowing six unearned (but really, richly deserved) runs.

Michael Ynoa walked his first batter but mercifully ended the inning after that, going an additional 2 innings striking out 4 of the 6 batters. Juan Minaya covered the 6th and 7th, allowing a hit and striking out a man in each of his two innings of work. The Sox picked up their third and final run on a Melky Cabrera homer in the 6th. Our old pal Hector Santiago got the start for the Twins and allowed all 3 runs over 6 innings of work. Tommy Kahnle worked scoreless 8th, and he, Ynoa and Minaya preserved the important parts of the bullpen for tomorrow's Ranaudo start, though perhaps a position player pitching would have been an appropriate end to the early pitching performances.

Record: 64-71 | Box Score | Play-by-Play | Highlights