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 The victory kept the Twins one game clear of the Kansas City Royals
for first place in the American League Central. The Royals and Twins
begin a three-game series at Target Field on Monday.
Pelfrey pitched eight shutout innings, the first time he pitched
into the eighth since April 21, 2012, when he played for the New
York Mets. It was his final outing before Tommy John surgery ended
his season and changed his career.
"I thought (Twins manager Paul Molitor) was going to take me out
after seven. I was gassed," Pelfrey said. "But he said 'I'd like for
you to go out and get one more.' I'm not going to tell him no, I
liked the challenge."
The veteran right-hander, who entered this season with a 5-16 record
and a 5.56 ERA in two seasons since signing with the Twins in 2013,
improved to 5-2 this year and lowered his ERA to 2.28, fourth best
in the American League. Pelfrey recorded quality starts in seven of
his past nine outings, boasting a 1.89 ERA over that span.
"I feel good," Pelfrey said. "Obviously, the first two years here
didn't go as well as I would have wanted. But I'm healthy now, I got
the opportunity in spring training to start and I'm just trying to
make the most of it."
On Sunday, his stuff was as good as it has been all year. His
fastball was routinely in the mid-90s, and his splitter kept
Milwaukee off balance all game.
The Brewers got one hit off Pelfrey in each inning, but seven of
those were singles. Each time, Pelfrey worked out of a jam, allowing
two runners on base in an inning just once.
With two outs in the eighth inning and a runner on first, Molitor
approached the mound seemingly poised to go to closer Glen Perkins.
However, some confidence from the rookie manager and a bit of
politicking from Pelfrey allowed the starter to face Brewers right
fielder Ryan Braun. Pelfrey rewarded his skipper, getting Braun to
line out to third base, and the 31,911 in attendance gave him a
standing ovation.
Twins second baseman Brian Dozier said, "I made it to the mound
before Molitor and I told (Pelfrey), 'You've got Braun, you got
him,' and he said 'You're dang right I do.' I knew he wasn't coming
out of the game no matter what (Molitor) said. I think they were
going to have to drag him off that mound, he wasn't coming out."
Pelfrey said, "I appreciate the trust and confidence, and I'm glad
it worked out."
Perkins entered in the ninth and worked around a two-out walk for
his league-leading 21st save in 21 opportunities.
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"I thought we had good at-bats all day, but (Pelfrey) made good
pitches all day, too," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "He's
definitely the story today. He did a nice job."
Minnesota scored both of its runs in a span of three hitters during
the second inning. Designated hitter Torii Hunter began the inning
with a walk, and right fielder Eddie Rosario followed with an RBI
double into the gap in left-center field. Left fielder Eduardo
Escobar tripled down the right field line to score Rosario and make
it 2-0.
Brewers right-hander Mike Fiers allowed only two runs but lasted
just 4 1/3 innings, giving up seven hits and walking three. The
Twins stranded 10 runners and left the bases loaded twice.
"It was a struggle, just one of those games where you battle
through and it feels like a battle all day," Fiers said. "My defense
made some good plays behind me too that saved me a couple of
innings. Just a frustrating start, it was only two runs, but that
was enough."
Milwaukee shortstop Jean Segura went 1-for-4, extending his hitting
streak to a season-best 10 games. Brewers center fielder Carlos
Gomez went 0-for-4, snapping his nine-game streak.
NOTES: Brewers RHP Taylor Jungmann will be recalled Tuesday to make
a start against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the opener of a three-game
series. Jungmann is 2-3 in 11 appearances this season with Triple-A
Colorado Springs. ... Twins 3B Trevor Plouffe got the day off.
Plouffe is hitting just .042 with one hit in 24 at-bats this month.
... Minnesota SS Danny Santana was optioned to Triple-A Rochester.
Santana was hitting just .111 in 14 games since May 19. ... The
Twins recalled DH/1B Kennys Vargas from Rochester. He is hitting
.248 with three homers for Minnesota this season.
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
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