After Byron Buxton smashed a two-run homer to give the Twins a one-run lead, Tyler Duffey took the mound in the ninth inning against the Mariners aiming to preserve the victory.
But the plan didn’t quite play out as intended.
The reliever gave up the tying and go-ahead runs with two outs, and Seattle beat the Twins 4-3 on Saturday at Target Field. The Twins dropped to 0-2 with their second one-run loss in the season-opening series in front of an announced crowd of 20,867.
Gallery: Minnesota Twins left fielder Alex Kirilloff (19) breaks his bat as he flies out to end the bottom of the 6th inning.TEXT SIZE167EMAILPRINTMORE
After Byron Buxton smashed a two-run homer to give the Twins a one-run lead, Tyler Duffey took the mound in the ninth inning against the Mariners aiming to preserve the victory.
But the plan didn’t quite play out as intended.
The reliever gave up the tying and go-ahead runs with two outs, and Seattle beat the Twins 4-3 on Saturday at Target Field. The Twins dropped to 0-2 with their second one-run loss in the season-opening series in front of an announced crowd of 20,867.Servais recaps comeback victorymenuvolume_off volume_up
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Servais recaps comeback victoryScott Servais discusses Logan Gilbert’s strong start against the Twins, Ty France’s three hits and Julio RodrÃguez’s first career hit in win
Mariners vs. Twins Highlights – Ty France tallies 3 hits, 2 RBIs in 4-3 comeback winMLB | 0:30
Servais recaps comeback victoryMLB | 2:25
Tom Murphy’s 423-foot home runMLB | 0:25
Scott Servais on Robbie RayMLB | 2:03
Mariners vs. Twins Highlights – Ray, Haniger contribute in 2-1 win over TwinsMLB | 0:34
Gio Urshela’s solo home runMLB | 0:32
Robbie Ray’s Mariners debutMLB | 1:03
Carlos Correa’s Twins debutMLB | 1:07
Rocco Baldelli on 2-1 lossMLB | 1:59
J.D. Martinez’s RBI singleMLB | 0:37
Duffey said losing the game after Buxton mounted the comeback and starter Sonny Gray kept the game close weighed on him.
“Guys came in before me and did their job. It’s just unfortunate to kind of go through that rollercoaster again, kind of like [Friday],” Duffey said, referencing the 2-1 loss on Opening Day. “At the same time, it’s getting the first one out of the way. I look forward to a lot more opportunities like that.”
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said he had always intended to give Duffey his season debut in the ninth inning Saturday. In prior seasons, that spot would have gone to Taylor Rogers, but the lefthander departed for the Padres in a Thursday trade that brought over starter Chris Paddack and bullpen arm Emilio Pagan.
Duffey gave up a leadoff double to Julio Rodriguez for his first major league hit. Rodriguez advanced to third on J.P. Crawford’s groundout, and Duffey then struck out Tom Murphy for the second out.
That brought up the top of the Mariners batting order, and Adam Frazier slapped the first pitch he saw from Duffey to left field, beating out Nick Gordon’s throw for a tying RBI double. Two pitches later, Ty France singled to right, scoring Frazier with the go-ahead run.
