Three Twins postgame thoughts from LEN3: Santana, Molitor, Replay

The Twins beat the Angels 3-0 on Thursday and headed home after a 2-4 road trip. Next up is a nine-game homestand

July 24, 2015 at 12:09AM
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Ervin Santana throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Thursday, July 23, 2015. Santana had seven strikeouts in eight innings as the Twins won 3-0.
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Ervin Santana throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Thursday, July 23, 2015. Santana had seven strikeouts in eight innings as the Twins won 3-0. (Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)


Here are three thoughts following the Twins' 3-0 win over the Angels


THE E-TRAIN: Ervin Santana had everything working on Thursday. His fastball hit 94 and had movement. His slider was sharp and he used his change up effectively. What's impressive is that he didn't his good fastball against Oakland on Friday but used his other pitches to dominate the A's, then showed what he can do when he has his good stuff. I've seen different sides of Santana on this trip, as he has proved he can win with whatever he's got that day. ``Both of those starts, the results were phenomenal and yet the way he went about accomplishing them were quite different," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. ``Without his good fastball the other day it was a matter of concentration and execution. Today, he really had that life and he could challenge guys in certain counts. He backed a couple guys off. That's a really good indication that he can pitch no matter what he's taking out there on a given day."

PUTTING THE BRAKES ON THE E-TRAIN: I can understand the reasoning. Glen Perkins had thrown just three innings over the previous 17 games. He blew a save in his last outing and they wanted him to get back on the horse. And it was a save situation. I was told that if the Twins would have scored a fourth run, Santana would have pitched the ninth inning for a chance at his first shutout since June of 2012. Since the lead was three, it was a save situation. So they had to give Perkins the chance for a save. O.K. fine. It wasn't like Perkins fell apart against Oakland on Saturday. Infield hit, wild pitch, bloop RBI single. That's not battery. All I'm saying is this. When you can't go out for the ninth inning having thrown just 91 pitches, when can you?

REPLAY FOLLIES: Eddie Rosario was called safe at second in the ninth inning when he hustled on a blooper down the right field line. The Angels objected. Manager Mike Scioscia acted like he wanted to challenge the call but then turned back toward the dugout. Pitcher Mike Morin stepped on the mound. So the chance at a replay is over, right. Well, the Angels had finally gotten the angle they needed to see to convince them to challenge the play. Scioscia when onto the field to stop everything and ask for replay. We all thought once the pitcher was on the mound the chance to ask for a replay was over. But no, the pitcher has to engage the hitter. Whatever. ``You can decline challenging and if action hasn't been started, you can change your mind," Molitor said. And replays showed Rosario tagged out, although the Twins didn't think there was enough evidence to overturn the call.

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about the writer

La Velle E. Neal III

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La Velle E. Neal III is a sports columnist for the Minnesota Star Tribune who previously covered the Twins for more than 20 years.

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