Tuesday September 22, 1987
Twins 6, Rangers 4
The Twins got a decent start out of Joe Niekro (5 1/3 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 ER), three home runs from the offense (Puckett, Gagne, and Brunansky, then got 4 2/3 perfect innings from Dan Schatzeder, Keith Atherton, and Jeff Reardon to close out the victory over the Texas Rangers.
The Rangers helped the Twins as well, losing a fly ball in the ceiling in the eighth inning, prompting this curious entry in the Retrosheet play-by-play data.
TWINS 8TH: MOHORCIC REPLACED RUSSELL (PITCHING); Puckett grounded out (pitcher to first); Gaetti singled to left; Larkin struck out; Brunansky doubled to shortstop [Gaetti scored]; Lombardozzi struck out; 1 R, 2 H, 0 E, 1 LOB. Rangers 4, Twins 6.
Only in the Metrodome.
The win keeps the Twins four games ahead of the A’s in the AL West. The magic number is down to “8″. On the same day, the Twins won to coin toss to host any playoff games in the event of a tie in the division.
Kent Hrbek remains out of the lineup since he suffered an upper respiratory infection last week. He has reportedly lost ten pound since then. It is not clear when Hrbek will return to the lineup.
Player(s) of the Game
The Bullpen
AL West Standings through 9/22 (Retrosheet)
Team Name G W L T PCT GB RS RA Minnesota Twins 151 81 70 0 .536 - 745 758 Oakland Athletics 151 77 74 0 .510 4.0 770 730 Kansas City Royals 152 75 77 0 .493 6.5 658 658 Texas Rangers 150 73 77 0 .487 7.5 784 785 California Angels 152 71 81 0 .467 10.5 701 740 Seattle Mariners 151 70 81 0 .464 11.0 704 753 Chicago White Sox 151 68 83 0 .450 13.0 691 719
Tomorrow vs Texas: Bert Blyleven 14-11 4.20 vs Jose Guzman 14-11 4.64
Thursday vs TEX
Friday-Sunday vs KC
9/28-9/30 @ TEX
10/2-10/4 @ KC
Other Remaining Schedules (3 games unless noted)
Kansas City: @ SEA (1); @ MIN; vs SEA; vs MIN
Oakland: @ CLE (1); vs CHW (4); vs CLE; @ CHW
