BALTIMORE – The Twins wanted to stick to their plan to save closer Glen Perkins for the Rays series that starts Tuesday — despite Perkins' attempts to make himself available for Sunday's game with the Orioles.
In the end, Perkins got his way. The hard way.
As the game pressed into extra innings, it became clear to the coaching staff that Perkins was going to be needed. Casey Fien, who had worked the previous two days, was unavailable. Ryan O'Rourke warmed up but was never used. The Twins opted to go with Perkins to keep the score tied in the 11th inning. He escaped a two-on, two out jam by striking out fellow All-Star Adam Jones and earned the victory as the Twins pushed across a 12th-inning run to win 4-3.
Perkins gave up a one-out single to Jimmy Paredes that went off shortstop Eduardo Escobar's glove. With two outs, he got Gerardo Parra to hit a foul ball to left, but Eddie Rosario dropped it for an error. Paredes hit the next pitch for a single. But Perkins recovered, and Jones could not check his swing on a two-strike slider.
"I think maybe he was feeling his way just a little bit and maybe a little more finesse than power," manager Paul Molitor said. "But he made some good pitches. Sometimes you get it in the right spot and it doesn't matter if you throw 95. Getting Jones out was huge to extend the game."
Perkins, who hadn't pitched since Monday because of a sore neck, felt so good after playing catch Saturday he lobbied to throw in the bullpen right after that so he would be available Sunday. The Twins held him back.
Even after throwing in the bullpen Sunday morning, Perkins let it be known that he could pitch in the series finale in Baltimore.
"I don't think it is a possibility," Molitor said before the game.