Twins Flashback: Seattle Sinks, Casilla Delivers Finishing Blow in Walk-Off Win (4/7/2009)

[Tom Froemming]

The Twins had to fight to the finish to earn their first win of the 2009 season, overcoming a 5-3 deficit despite being down to their final out. Three-consecutive walks followed by singles from Denard Span and Alexi Casilla gave the Twins a walk-off win.Twins 6, Seattle 5 | Box Score

Blackburn: 5 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K

Home Runs: None

Multi-Hit Games: Span (3-for-5), Cuddyer (2-for-4)

Top 3 WPA: Casilla .529, Span .214, Guerrier .114

Chart via FanGraphs

Download attachment: chart.png

 

After retiring the first two batters of the bottom of the ninth inning, it appeared Brandon Morrow was going to close out a 5-3 Seattle victory. Instead, he lost his command.

 

Morrow walked Carlos Gomez, Jason Kubel and Brian Buscher to load the bases before being removed from the game. Denard Span kept the rally rolling with a run-scoring infield single before Casilla finished it off with a two-run single to center field to clinch victory from the jaws of defeat.

 

 

The Mariners bullpen had retired 11 batters in a row prior to Morrow issuing the ninth-inning walks.

 

“It felt like we beat the White Sox,” Denard Span joked with reporters, alluding to Game 163 the prior season. “I was expecting champagne to be in the air when I got in the clubhouse, but it was only the first one of the season.”

 

FLASHBACKS

April 6: Oliva Becomes First DH to HR, Blyleven Goes the Distance on 22nd Birthday (1973)

April 5: Stewart Hits Walk-Off Homer, Mauer Shines in MLB Debut (2004)

 

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[woolywoolhouse]

Alexi Casilla sure had a knack for those walk-off singles.