Theilbar hang a sweeper to Baez?
Better look again. That was the very bottom of the zone inside third part of the plate - a pretty fine pitch - a hole in just about every right handed batter's swing, and especially the guys on our team, but Baez golfed it out to end his slump. Not the definition of a hanger. That was all Baez. Hell, our guys just watch that pitch and hope the ump gets it wrong and calls a ball, and would/should have been a called stirke three for 2 outs if taken! That was a good pitch that a batter protecting the plate with 2 strikes swings at and hopes for contact to fight it off and not get called out. That homer, however, was not a real problem. Still 3-1 with 5 outs to go and the bases empty.
The second team infield (wait, Polanco is gone) except fielding challenged Julian at second, the infield all didn't make plays behind Theilbar. I wouldn't have put him in there in the game just coming untested off the IL, but he was not a "culprit" in my book. First Castro booting it, then Julian forced to position himself shifted to the right, but a grounder I would want the 2nd baseman to get to, and then Farmer totally eaten up and not in front of ball but trying to grab it from his side.... what a travesty of errors that weren't called errors.
Talk all you want about the hitting. Games are situational, especially in the 8th inning. It could be 11-8 or 9-6 or 3-0. It is all on pitching and defense now. You have a 3 run lead with 6 outs to go. It is not on the offense at all at this point. (unless your defense and MLB best bullpen gives up 4 runs in the bottom of the 8th)
Great to see Ober rebound for 2 fine starts after his first fiasco, and a poor ST. We need this Ober. Margot hitting clean up give me a break........
Cheer up Twin's fans! You have 0-2/9.00 Louie Varland on the mound to start the series in Baltimore!