The Twins really needed a strong outing by starting pitcher Scott Baker, and they got it.
The only problem is that Texas starter Matt Harrison was better, and the Texas Rangers bested Minnesota 4-1 at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, TX, on Thursday.
Baker was making his second start since coming off the DL for his flexor strain, and had another strong outing. Baker went 7 innings, giving up 8 hits and two runs, but the Twins offense was pretty much thwarted by Harrison, who went 7.1 and gave up only one run.
The Twins had a couple of opportunities for a big inning, but failed to capitalize. In the fifth inning, the Twins loaded the bases with two outs, but Tsuyoshi Nishioka,m which is Japanese for ‘rally killer’, grounded into a fieldr’s choice to end the threat.
In the sixth, Minnesota got the first two runners of the inning on base, but Jason Kubel grounded into a double play. Jim Thome then singled in the Twins only run of the evening.
The Twins continue their road trip in Oakland tomorrow. First pitch is 9:05 PM CST.