Gibson has strong game against Mariners

0
272

The Associated Press

SEATTLE — Though his stellar work was not rewarded with a win on his ledger, Minnesota Twins stater Kyle Gibson pitched into the eighth inning in helping his team eke out a 4-2 victory against the Seattle Mariners on Sunday.

It was the first time this season the Greenfield-Central graduate worked into the eighth inning.

The right-hander allowed just two runs, while scattering five hits and three walks. Gibson struck out three before being taken out of the game with the score tied 2-2, which did not factor in the decision.

Minnesota’s bullpen took over and didn’t allow a run. Gibson gave up a double to lead off the eighth inning before Aaron Thompson came on to get out of the inning.

Casey Fien (1-1) gave up one hit over two innings, and Glen Perkins closed out the 11th for his fifth save.

“Gibby pitched awesome today,” Fien said. “And we were able to come out and help him out.”

Gibson worked efficiently through his start, throwing just 99 pitches.

His only setback came in the fourth inning, when he allowed Seth Smith to hit a leadoff home run. He would later give up another run on a Logan Morrison RBI groundout, but that was all he would surrender.

Gibson’s teammate, Joe Maurer, delivered the big hit of the day, smacking a two-run triple with two outs in the 11th inning to give the Twins their 4-2 lead.

The hit to the gap was out of the reach of right fielder Nelson Cruz, and rolled to the wall as the runners scored and Mauer headed to third.

“I got to run around a little bit,” Mauer said. “Off the bat, as soon as I saw it get by Cruz I thought I might have a chance, and once I was rounding second I said, ‘Why not, let’s go for it.’”

Seattle reliever Tyler Olson (1-1) walked Chris Herrmann to lead off the 11th. After a sacrifice bunt, Olson intentionally walked Brian Dozier. Shane Robinson fouled out before Mauer’s triple.

Mauer had three hits and drove in three runs. In addition to his first triple of the season, he had an RBI double as the Twins won for the third time in four games.

Gibson and the Twins pitching staff held the Mariners to an 0-for-12 mark with runners in scoring position. Seattle stranded runners on third in the fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth innings.

Up next

Gibson is scheduled to make his fifth start of the season Friday against the Chicago White Sox in Minnesota. Gibson has fared well is his short career against his American League Central rivals. He is 1-0 with a 4.26 ERA and 10 strikeouts in 12.2 innings pitched in two starts against them.

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”By the numbers” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

The Minnesota Twins’ Kyle Gibson pitched seven innings of two-run ball against the Seattle Mariners on Sunday evening. Here is the Greenfield-Central graduate’s pitching line against Seattle, as well as his stats four starts into the season.

GM/YR;IP;H;R;ER;BB;SO;HR;ERA;W-L

Sunday;7.0;5;2;2;3;3;1;2.57;No decision

Season;22.1;26;13;12;12;6;2;4.84;1-2

[sc:pullout-text-end]