Here are three thoughts following the Twins' 11-7 win over Tampa Bay
Three Twins postgame thoughts from LEN3: Boyer, Sano, Fien, BONUS
The Twins made it five straight on Tuesday with a 11-7 win over Tampa Bay. They are now one-half game out of the last wild card spot
WAITING FOR BOYER MOVE: It would not surprise me if Blaine Boyer already has arrived in St. Petersburg or is on his way tomorrow. Twins relievers had to pitch the final 6.1 innings on Tuesday. Add that to what has happened at each stop of this road trip - the game last week in New York where they had to bring in JR Graham to face A-Rod with the bases loaded, then the game on Sunday in Baltimore where the traveling secretary almost had to pitch. A lot of stress has been put on the bullpen. All they have to do is get through this week, then rosters expand on Sept. 1. ``We are taxing the bullpen pretty good," Molitor said. Molitor is going to talk to GM Terry Ryan and then see who is available out of the bullpen for tomorrow's game. But we expect a move before game time.
LET IT SA-NO: Molitor was asked why the offense is showing signs of life this month (four double-digit games): ``It starts with Sano," Molitor said. ``We have got a lot of guys who are contributing. You kind of go through the people who are making the difference, but he seems to be in the middle of a lot of things were are doing offensively. You're gong to see some strikeouts but he's taking walks." Sano bashed a three-run homer in the first inning then calmly drew a walk in the second inning. I have thrown out a Frank Thomas comp. I mentioned it to a scout who offered a Miguel Cabrera comp (yikes!). But, in previous conversations, Molitor has compared some of Sano's traits to Cabrera. Torii Hunter, who played with Cabrera in Detroit, agreed. ``He's a different animal as far as hitting," Hunter said of Sano. ``He's pretty mature and he has an idea. He has great at bats and waits for his pitch and takes pitches I would never take." Get ready for these postgame stats. Sano, according to ESPN Stats and Info, is the first player age 22 or younger to have 12 home runs in his first 45 career games since Adam Dunn in 2001. And he joins Orlando Cepeda and Albert Pujols as the only players that young with 12 homers and 37 RBI in their first 45 games.
FIEN BACK TO BEING MEAN: Casey Fien pitched the sixth and seventh innings, shutting down the Rays as the Twins maintained breathing room in this one. Fien has now thrown 8.2 scoreless innings over his last six outings on two hits, one walk, five strikeouts - and two broken bats on Tuesday. He's got his mojo back. ``Those were six big outs," Molitor said.
BONUS THOUGHT: Ervin Santana said his fastball command was the big problem on Tuesday. Molitor thinks he might be tipping his pitches. I think his slider wasn't sharp either. He's got some mechanical issues to work through.
Kyle Higashioka's solo homer started a five-run rally against an ailing Max Fried with two outs in the second inning, and the San Diego Padres held on to sweep the Atlanta Braves with a 5-4 victory in Game 2 of their NL Wild Card Series on Wednesday night.