Thornton struggles in rainy Minnesota
Elvis Luciano. Photo: Jay Blue
April 17, 2019
By Emily @JaysGirlEmily
Blue Jays from Away
The Toronto Blue Jays dropped the third game of their series in Minneapolis 4-1 on Wednesday night, following an hour-long rain delay.
The game finally got underway at 8:30 on the East coast (7:30 Minnesota time). The Blue Jays took an early lead in the 1st, thanks to a pair of singles and some heads-up baserunning by Freddy Galvis. Justin Smoak took the RBI.
The Twins quickly tied things up following a leadoff double by Max Kepler, a walk, and a passed ball, when Nelson Cruz dumped one into center field for an RBI single. With runners on the corners and nobody out, Eddie Rosario grounded a ball to first base, where Smoak opted to allow the run to score in exchange for turning a double play.
Galvis singled on a bunt in the 5th, but was thrown out in what looked like an attempted hit-and-run.
Thornton was pulled with two out and a man on first in the 5th inning, giving way to Elvis Luciano, who walked Cron, then threw a wild pitch and allowed an RBI single to Gonzalez before getting out of the inning. Thornton’s final line was 4 2/3 innings, 4 earned runs on 6 hits, 3 walks and 3 strikeouts.
Smoak came about 3 feet from hitting a 2-run home run to right (it had the depth, but was foul) and instead he settled for flying out to left. The Twins' starter Jake Odorizzi left the game shortly afterward, having allowed 6 hits and a walk in 5 2/3 innings, and without allowing an additional run. Despite his issues in the 5th, Luciano pitched a clean 6th, including a pair of strikeouts. Javy Guerra also pitched out of the bullpen, allowing 2 hits but no runs over two innings.
Brandon Drury singled to lead off the 7th, but was doubled off on a ball lined directly to the first baseman. It was the first time Drury had had hits in consecutive games since April 1st & 2nd (he didn’t play on Tuesday night).
The Blue Jays got the leadoff man aboard five times, but couldn’t score any of them.
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