MPR’s Jim Bickal gives a regular season game summary of Twins home game against the Texas Rangers. The Twins have put together the best home record in MLB, recording 53-23 at the dome thus far.
MPR’s Jim Bickal gives a regular season game summary of Twins home game against the Texas Rangers. The Twins have put together the best home record in MLB, recording 53-23 at the dome thus far.
JIM BICKAL: The general consensus when the Metrodome was built was that it was designed primarily for the Vikings football team, and that the Twins were just kind of a throw-in on the deal. But it sure doesn't seem that way these days. While the Vikings are on strike, the Twins have put together the best home record in the major leagues.
The Twins are now 53 and 23 at the dome. Last night, the key player for the Twins was Keith Atherton. Joe Niekro started and pitched reasonably well into the sixth inning, allowing four runs. Dan Schatzeder pitched a one batter, and then Atherton shut down the Rangers until the ninth, when Jeff Reardon was brought in to finish the game.
Atherton played the role of what is called the setup man. Setup man is a relief pitcher who pitches in the middle of the game and tries to keep the game close until the high-profile stopper can come in. Atherton says he likes the role.
KEITH ATHERTON: It's not a lot of glory as far as the press and what people know what you're doing, but I'm contributing to help the ball club win. And it makes me feel good deep inside.
JIM BICKAL: The Twins also used their home field advantage to get an insurance run in the eighth inning. With Gary Gaetti on first, Tom Brunansky hit a high pop behind second base, which neither the Texas second baseman or shortstop could pick up against the illuminated Teflon roof. With two outs, Gaetti was running and he scored all the way from first base. Gaetti says it was especially difficult to see the ball last night.
GARY GAETTI: Because they had the lights turned up so bright that if you just glance through, the bank of lights, man, that's what's going to happen.
JIM BICKAL: It was different than it normally is?
GARY GAETTI: For some reason tonight, there was a real shimmer out there.
JIM BICKAL: What are you-- what are the--
GARY GAETTI: They can't turn up the intensity and the lights, and they were just really bright tonight.
JIM BICKAL: Do you Twins guys have a secret to battling that or just more experienced?
GARY GAETTI: Well, the infielders got to help the outfielders out. That's the whole thing. You got to point the ball the whole way. And a lot of times, infielders got to go way out to get the ball.
JIM BICKAL: Gaetti had three hits and the game-winning run batted in. Greg Gagne, Kirby Puckett, and Tom Brunansky all hit home runs for the Twins. Tonight, it'll be Bert Blyleven for the Twins against the Rangers' José Guzmán. I'm Jim Bickal reporting.
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