Although neither got a decision, Fernando Romero joined Shohei Ohtani in an entertaining duel before the Angels defeated the Twins Sunday 2-1.
Romero pitched five innings of four-hit ball in his third big-league start as the Twins finished their impressive 10-game road trip with seven wins, but also their major league-worst sixth walk-off defeat.
Romero allowed his first run in the fifth inning, ending his scoreless start to his career at 15 2/3 innings when Justin Upton beat out a potential double-play grounder in the fifth. But the Dominican right-hander otherwise excelled against the Angels’ veteran lineup, striking out six while walking three.
After Ohtani racked up 11 strikeouts while yielding only three singles, Zack Cozart delivered a walk-off RBI single in the Angels’ second win in the four game series.
Minnesota put four straight batters on base in the ninth inning, yet the Angels kept it tied.
Ehire Adrianza was thrown out at the plate by Ian Kinsler while he attempted to score from first on Robbie Grossman’s double.
Blake Parker then got Brian Dozier to pop out with the bases loaded to end the ninth. Parker (1-1) got the win for throwing just one pitch.
Chris Young was hit by a pitch from Zach Duke (2-2) leading off the Angels’ ninth. After Young was bunted to second, Cozart cracked his third hit of the day and his second game-ending hit of the season into left field, where Eddie Rosario couldn’t field it cleanly for a throw to the plate.
