The Twins kept their postseason hopes alive with a late rally, scoring the go-ahead run on a wild pitch in the ninth in a 4-2 win over the Indians on Thursday night at Progressive Field.
It helped the Twins (83-76) move to one game back of the Astros for the second American League Wild Card spot with three games left in the regular season. The Twins are also tied with the Angels after their loss to the Rangers, who clinched a postseason berth.
“We just have to find ways to extend this thing,” Twins manager Paul Molitor said. “We’re at three games left and we’re still there. We need help. We all know that. Even if we win out, we need help. But we’re going to try to win as many games as we can.”
After tying the game with a run in the eighth, the Twins scored twice in the ninth, helped by an error from second baseman Jose Ramirez with one out. Eddie Rosario followed with a single to right to move pinch-runner Eduardo Nunez to third. With Torii Hunter at the plate, Nunez scored on a wild pitch from Indians closer Cody Allen before Hunter gave the Twins an insurance run with a sacrifice fly to right.
Twins rookie right-hander Tyler Duffey turned in another solid outing, but was hurt by one bad pitch to Tribe catcher Roberto Perez in the seventh. After allowing a one-out single to Abraham Almonte, Duffey fell behind Perez and served up a go-ahead homer on a 3-1 fastball. It was the last batter for Duffey, who went 6 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on six hits and a walk with six strikeouts. Duffey finishes the regular season going 5-1 with a 3.10 ERA in 10 starts, and he is the Twins’ top candidate to start a potential AL Wild Card Game, presented by Budweiser.
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