Los Angeles Angels Outlast Minnesota Twins In High Scoring Affair

A September skid was starting to threaten the Los Angeles Angels’ playoff chances and they started a series against wild card competition in Minnesota in the worst possible way.

Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees celebrates with teammate Brian McCann #34 after hitting a home run off of pitcher Jake Odorizzi of the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a game on September 15, 2015 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. According to FanGraphs, Lindor has saved the Indians seven runs in the field, which is tied for the most among all AL shortstops. The Twins, now -127 favorites, send Tommy Milone to the mound. Los Angeles will start LHP Andrew Heaney (6-3, 3.32 ERA) against Minnesota RHP Mike Pelfrey (6-9, 4.09).

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Off a disappointing, extra-inning loss a day earlier, the playoff hopeful Minnesota Twins were hoping to bounce back against another team fighting for a postseason berth.

Brewers pitcher Jimmy Nelson was taken to the hospital Thursday after being hit in the head by a line drive during a game against the Cardinals.

The Twins 11-8 loss to the L.A. Angels featured no shortage of scoring, and once again, the Twins outscored the Minnesota Vikings.

The Rangers trailed by 2 1/2 games in the AL West at this time a week ago, now they’re in first place by 2 1/2 games and have relegated the Astros to the Wild Card race for the time being. Since trading for Cole Hamels at the deadline, they’ve gone 29-17 and won their last five games, but also have a run differential of -7 and an expected W-L record of an under-.500 team. The 31-year-old yielded four runs (two earned) and nine hits in six innings at Los Angeles on July 22.

“I do think that one of the benefits is a beleaguered bullpen gets a bit of a blow today”, Molitor said.

Five runs driven in, two runs saved, three walks and three runs scored. We just couldn’t contain (them).

Minnesota had a lead heading into the ninth Wednesday before former Angel Kevin Jepsen allowed two runs for his first blown save in eight chances since being acquired from Tampa Bay at the trade deadline. Los Angeles is 7-20 in their last 27 road games, 1-7 o the road against a left-handed starter, and 2-5 in Santiago’s last seven starts. Molitor said his All-Star closer would serve as a set-up man for Kevin Jepson as he eases his way back into the mix. What would be even sweeter, though, is to win the division so we don’t have to deal with the heart attack that goes with a one-game playoff. “He’s very understanding of where we’re at and how we’ve gotten here and where he’s at with his recovery, so no matter what happens, all the work he’s done is going to pay off, whether it’s this year or next spring”.