Twins rally to top Mariners in the bottom of the 9th - 4/7/09

     

 

 

    After a less than exciting home opener Monday night, the Twinkies appeared to be headed to an 0-2 start Tuesday after trailing 4-0 early to the Seattle Mariners.  The Twins were able to put together some hits, closing the gap to 4-3 heading into the sixth.  But the M's scraped together an insurance run in the top of the 9th, and looked poised for another victory as the Twins headed into the last half-inning trailing 5-3.  Closer Brandon Morrow struck out lead-off hitter Joe Crede, retired Delmon Young on a fly-out, and had Carlos Gomez down to his last strike.  Gomez was able stay alive and taxed Morrow for 8 pitches, eventually drawing a walk.  It all unraveled for the Seattle closer from there, walking pinch-hitter Jason Kubel on four pitches, followed right behind by Brian Buscher.  With the bases jacked and the winning run aboard, rookie manager Don Wakamatsu finally decided to pull Morrow in favor of Miguel Batista.  Denard Span then hit a chop single to deep third base, scoring Gomez and keeping the bases juiced for Alexi Casilla.  Jumping on the first pitch, Casilla dropped a single into shallow center, bringing in pinch runner Brendan Harris to tie and Brian Buscher for the go-ahead.  I just can't understand why Wakamatsu would have waited so long to pull the obviously struggling Morrow.  This was the Mariners' crucial mistake.  If I were old Donny, I think I would've yanked Morrow the moment he threw his sixth straight ball and was aimed at walking aboard the winning run.  Thanks Donny, Minnesota owes you one for that blunder.

 

    Witnessing the dramatic fashion of tonight's win, one can't help but think back to the game last season on September 25th.  Down 6-1 in the fourth inning, the Twins were in desperate need of a rally if they wanted to complete their sweep of the ChiSox, reclaim first place, and keep their playoff hopes alive.  They were able to manufacture some runs, and by the eighth had tied it up at 6 apiece.  In the bottom of the tenth, with two outs and the winning run at third base, who else but Alexi Casilla knocked in the game-winner with a bloop single to shallow center field.  Coming up huge again tonight, knocking in both the tying and go-ahead runs, Casilla has done all he needs to do to prove to this writer he's the real deal, and hopefully Twins fans everywhere can agree.  After tonight's performance, I would like to take this opportunity to pledge my allegiance to Casilla's greatness.  I can see the sports page 26 years from now: "Twins' Perennial All-Star Casilla inducted into Cooperstown today, July 28, 2035".  Well, maybe I'm jumping the gun a little on that one.  

   

    Tonight's game and that game last September certainly share some eery familiarities.  Getting into an early hole, battling back with the game coming down to, quite literally, the last possible chance, and the same scrappy 2nd baseman coming up as the hero.  As far as importance goes, now that's another story.  It may only be the second game of the season, but you can never underestimate the impact one great game can have on a team's confidence.  I think a game like this (and hopefully many more) will have a profound effect on solidifying the chemistry of the Twins and their overall dynamic as a baseball team, giving them much promise this year.

 

    What a welcome treat this was; especially after the Twins' performance last night for the season opener.  If this second game of the year is any indication of what lies ahead, we here in Twins Territory are in for one helluva season.