ARLINGTON, Texas — It was an odd atmosphere in the press box tonight, as reports kept coming in about the snipers in nearby Dallas. An already-quiet press box was totally silent for much of the game.
But the game went on, another Twins' victory over the team with the best record in the AL — they're now 3-1 against the Rangers, having outscored them 34-13 — and there were some interesting side notes. Here are a handful:
— Tyler Duffey's six shutout innings kept the Twins perfect in July: They have received at least six innings from the starting pitcher in all seven games. That's the longest such streak of the season, topping the six straight from April 13-18, and it's quite a turnaround. Not since May 15 had the Twins had more than two such games in a row. No wonder they are 5-2 in July, already just two wins away from matching their seven wins in April.
"It's been a lot about the starting pitching. We came close to putting up another shutout today. Guys are pitching better from top to bottom.," manager Paul Molitor said. "They're all doing well enough to keep us in games and give us a chance to win."
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Eduardo Nunez had three hits and drew two walks, so it was a great night for the Twins' new All-Star. He also made a heads-up play on the bases that helped turn a popup into a run.
With the bases loaded and one out, Max Kepler popped one into short center. Elvis Andrus had to hustle after the ball, but instead of going halfway to see if he would catch it, Nunez, standing on third base, suddenly rushed back to third base. When Andrus made a diving catch, then leapt to his feet to throw home, Nunez tore down the line at top speed and slid home, head-first.
"It's a tough read," Molitor said of Nunez's decision. "Instinctively, guys with speed will go back on that play, because if it falls, you're probably going to score because the ball's going away from the infield. If [the fielder] makes the catch, he's not going to have much time to recover. But it's a good play."
