Here are three thoughts following the Twins loss to the Yankees.
Three Twins postgame thoughts from LEN3: Nunez, Mitchell, Fien
The Twins lost a tough one on Monday after coming back twice from deficits against the Yankees in New York.
NUNEZ'S BRAIN CRAMP: Paul Molitor actually chuckled when he said, ``The was no reason to throw to first base." But Eduardo Nunez did after bobbling Chase Headley's grounder that should have been converted into a 6-2-3 double play. Nunez said the ball took a bad hop on him but added that he still has to make the play. Did he have time to throw home after the bobble? Not sure but he should have tried. Throwing to first base there was the ultimate brain camp. ``I didn't mean to throw it to first base," Nunez said. The Twins had pulled Torii Hunter for Eduardo Escobar and switched to a five-man infield before Headley batted, and it looked like the move had a chance to work. I'm sure Yankees fans are enjoying the fact that Escobar, once in the conversation as Derek Jeter's replacement, helped them win a game on Monday.
BRYAN MITCHELL: The good thing is that the line drive that Nunez hit deflected out toward center field after it collided with Mitchell's face. That means it was not a direct blow. Still, Mitchell has a broken nose after being hit with the liner in the second inning. Mitchell was taken to New York Presbyterian hospital but was eventually released. He will be monitored for concussion symptoms. ``I feel bad for him," Nunez said. ``You don't wish anything like that on anybody. I was very scared." It reminded me of other comebackers, like when Nick Blackburn was hit in the head a few years ago. Or the night at the Dome when Paul Molitor broke Mark Gubicza's leg with a line drive. Frankly, I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often.
FIEN AND THE BULLPEN: Casey Fein was fired up during his two innings of work as he kept the Yankees from scoring. It was the Fien of recent years, when hitters had trouble touching his cutter, The Twins hope it's a sign that Fien is ready to work late innings effectively again. Now, the immediate future is shaky. Fien has pitched in three straight games and needs a break. Same thing for Kevin Jepsen. It will be interesting to see who Molitor turns to in the late innings on Tuesday. Trevor May was not available on Monday, but maybe they can use him on Tuesday.
BONUS THOUGHT: Molitor said a communication breakdown led to Alex Rodriguez not being held a first, allowing him to steal second in the third. Kyle Gibson gave up a leadoff single to Jacoby Ellsbury and walked Brett Gardner to put runners on in the third. Alex Rodriguez's grounder was missed by Trevor Plouffe for an error. Ellsbury was waved home, but Eddie Rosario unleashed his latest perfect throw to cut down Ellsbury at the plate for his 11th assist of the season. Mark Teixeira hit a sinking fly to left that was ruled to have bounced before Rosario got a glove on it. Rosario alertly ran the ball in and flipped to second to force Rodriguez, but replays showed Rosario caught the ball. This put A-Rod back at first.
Somehow, the Twins didn't hold Rodriguez on, so he swiped second without a throw. It was big at the moment because Brian McCann followed with a two-run sigle to right as the Yankees took a 5-4 lead. ``I appeal a play to keep A-Rod in the game, then I let him steal a base," Molitor said. ``I didn't look too smart there because it turned out to be a big run."
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