Minnesota Twins Clinch AL Central Title With 8-6 Win Over Angels

MINNEAPOLIS — After celebrating on the pitch and before popping bottles in the clubhouse, Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli addressed his team with the following words: “Congratulations, enjoy it, but there’s still work to be done.”

Friday night’s 8-6 victory over the Los Angeles Angels gave the Minnesota Twins the AL Central crown.

Alex Kirilloff hit a home run and drove in three runs, and Minnesota held on late to claim its third division title in five years under Baldelli.

Baldelli stated, “We have much work to do.” However, tonight, we have joy. Tomorrow, we return to business.”

Pablo López (11-8) allowed three runs and five hits over six innings while striking out seven for the Twins. Jhoan Duran surrendered a run in the ninth but secured his 27th save by retiring Brandon Drury on a grounder with full bases.

“We came into today in charge of our own destinies,” said López. “We knew we didn’t need to check the scoreboard to see who was losing. We were aware that we had to win the contest. This is precisely what we did. Even when I wasn’t performing at my best, the offence picked me up immediately.”

After squandering an early 3-0 advantage, Kirilloff’s 10th home run broke a 3-3 tie in the sixth inning, and the Twins triumphed for the sixth time in eight games. Kirilloff became the twelfth Twins player this season to hit 10 or more home runs, establishing a club record.

With lines from a recent college football game still visible at Target Field, the crowd was anxious to celebrate the Twins’ extended fall. It is their 15th postseason appearance since the Washington Senators relocated to Minnesota and became the Twins in 1961.

Friday night’s 8-6 victory over the Los Angeles Angels gave the Minnesota Twins the AL Central crown.

The injured shortstop is expected to be ready for the postseason. “It means a lot,” he said. “The first one to be held in Minnesota is truly unique. These are the objectives you set for yourself when you join a new team, and this is just one of them.”

Of course, Minnesota has yet to fare well in the postseason. The Minnesota Twins have lost 18 consecutive postseason games, including 13 to the New York Yankees.

Minnesota had not won a postseason game since 2004 when Johan Santana pitched a 2-0 victory in the Division Series opener in New York. Under Baldelli, the Twins were routed in two games in a first-round series against the Houston Astros in 2020 and three by the Yankees in the 2019 Division Series.

These Twins are acutely aware of their current drought. During a postgame interview broadcast over the stadium’s loudspeakers, Kyle Farmer vowed a playoff victory.

“Of course, why not?” The farmer stated. “If you don’t believe it, then you shouldn’t play.”

However, this team believes it is unique, partly because of the pitching and depth it has developed.

The Twins added four runs in the seventh inning, punctuated by RBI doubles from Farmer and Jorge Polanco.

“We did a lot of different things to build this club, and the team is really gelling,” Baldelli said, drenched in beer and champagne as he watched his team celebrate. “If you glance behind you, you will notice some gelling occurring. This is what you desire to see.”

Friday night’s 8-6 victory over the Los Angeles Angels gave the Minnesota Twins the AL Central crown.

John Davis Daniel (0-1) suffered the defeat in relief of starter José Suarez. Daniel was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake earlier in the day, and in his second career major league appearance, he allowed three runs over four and one-third innings.

With Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani on the injured list, Los Angeles has lost eight of its last nine games, concluding another disappointing season. Logan O’Hoppe launched his 12th home run of the season in the eighth inning, a two-run shot.

“I want my guys to see that,” said Angels manager Phil Nevin of the Twins’ celebration of their division championship. “I truly do. That is where we want to be! Without a doubt. We have a solid young nucleus. And I noticed, yeah, I spotted O’Hoppe and (Zach) Neto and those guys out there looking at that.”

Friday night’s 8-6 victory over the Los Angeles Angels gave the Minnesota Twins the AL Central crown.

It is appropriate that López, acquired from Miami in a spring trade for Luis Arraez, was the winning pitcher for the Twins. This season, he has been a starting rotation member that has led the way for Minnesota.

López, who could start Game 1 of the postseason, rebounded after surrendering five runs in a loss to the Chicago White Sox in his previous start. His career-high 228 strikeouts rank second in the American League, behind only Toronto’s Kevin Gausman (232), and his 3.61 earned run average ranks tenth in the league.

Trout took strokes off a tee before the game to return from a left hamate fracture before the end of the season. … Left-handed pitcher Aaron Loup was placed on the 15-day injured list with a strained left shoulder, concluding his season with a 2-3 record and a 6.50 ERA in 55 games.

Infielder Royce Lewis was placed on the 10-day injured list because of a strained left hamstring. Lewis has a batting average of 309 and 15 home runs and is prepared to return for the postseason.

Upcoming RHP Minnesota’s Sonny Grey (8-7, 2.80 ERA) starts Saturday afternoon. Grey ranks second in the American League in ERA, behind New York’s Gerrit Cole (2.75). The Angels had yet to name a starting pitcher. The team will likely employ an opener, with LHP Kenny Rosenberg (5.48 ERA) serving as the primary pitcher.

SOURCE – (AP)