Minnesota came into the 4-game series with Seattle winning 12 of their last 13 games. The Mariners came into the series 19-14 (1st in the A.L. West).
Twins starting pitching was fantastic in this series. Only giving up 4 earned runs in 4 games. Minnesota’s bullpen struggled in game two giving up 8 runs in 3.0 IP (All after the 6th inning). Jorge Alcala (who was part of the Twins bullpen collapse) was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul the following day. The bullpen only allowed 3 earned runs in the other three games (games 1. 3, & 4).
The offense came through again in this series outscoring the Mariners 26-15. Minesota hitting six homeruns, one triple and 9 doubles in this series. Thirty-two hits over the entire series and now have won 15 of their last 17 games. The Twins sit only one and a half games back of first place Cleveland.
With some pitching injuries along the way, the Twins bullpen backup plan has really been their only weakness as of late. Alcala, Funderburk, Jackson, and Okert have all struggled. Brock Stewart is on the Injured List & Griffin Jax is still trying to get back to last year’s form. Twins Manager Rocco Baldelli is still trying to find the right mix going forward.
The Twins/Mariners series was also special for former Minnesota second baseman Jorge Polanco (who was traded in the off-season). It was his first time returning to Target Field since the trade. He got to spend time with former teammates and signing some items for his fans. The series did not fair well for Jorge (pictured here) going 2-18 in the series. Max Kepler (pictured here) had a fantastic series. He passed Jacque Jones for sole possession of 14th place on the all-time Twins doubles list (since 1961). Kepler is just two away from Cesar Tovar for 13th all-time. Justin Topa (who came over from Seattle in the Polanco trade) had a minor setback in his rehab assignment recently in Triple-A St Paul.