Live Blogging: Oakland Athletics at Minnesota Twins 07/19/2019

MLB: Oakland Athletics at Minnesota Twins 07/19/2019

Hello and welcome to another edition of 'Live Blogging on Shish on Baseball'. Tonight it is the potential American League Postseason Matchup, as Oakland Athletics take on Minnesota Twins. The Twins have a 4 game lead on the Cleveland Indians for the A.L. Central Lead. While the A's are tied with the Rays, for the 2nd A.L. Wild Card Spot.

Tonight's starting pitchers are a pair of right-handers. Chris Bassitt for the A's and Jake Odorizzi for the Twins. Bassitt comes in with a K/BB ratio of 2.38, while averaging 4.04 P/PA. Meanwhile Odorizzi comes in with a K/BB ratio of 3.06, while averaging 4.25 P/PA.

It is Oakland Athletics taking on Minnesota Twins, coming up shortly.

Starting Lineups:
Oakland Athletics:
1. Marcus Semien, SS
2. Jurickson Profar, 2B
3. Matt Olson, 1B
4. Mark Canha, RF
5. Ramon Laureano, CF
6. Khris Davis, DH
7. Robbie Grossman, LF
8. Chris Herrmann, C
9. Chad Pinder, 3B
SP: Chris Bassitt (RHP)

Minnesota Twins:
1. Max Kepler, CF
2. Jorge Polanco, SS
3. Nelson Cruz, DH
4. Eddie Rosario, LF
5. C.J. Cron, 1B
6. Marwin Gonzalez, RF
7. Luis Arraez, 2B
8. Miguel Sano, 3B
​9. Jason Castro, C
SP: Jake Odorizzi (RHP)

Roy Smalley is the color analyst for Twins Broadcast. 

A's are in their alternate green jerseys and caps, with gray pants. While the Twins are in their alternate red jerseys, caps, with white 'T' and blue 'C' on both items of clothing. Twins also wear home white pants. 

Top of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Semien
2. Profar
3. Olson
Jake Odorizzi (RHP) starting as Twins Pitcher.
MLB Scores:
First Pitch around 7:12 p.m. CDT.
HOME RUN: Semien hits a solo home run to left field wall. OAK 1, MIN 0
Profar grounds out to Sano. 1 out.
Olson strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
Canha singles to left field. Runner on 1st.
Laureano draws a base on balls. Canha advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
RBI-SINGLE: Davis hits an RBI-Single to center field. Canha scores. Laureano advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd.
TWINS MOUND VISIT #1: MVR: OAK 5, MIN 4
Grossman grounds out to Arraez. 3 outs.
A's score 2 runs, in their half of 1st Inning.

Middle of 1st Inning:
OAK 2, MIN 0

Bottom of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Kepler
2. Polanco
3. Cruz
Chris Bassitt (RHP) now starting as A's Pitcher.
​Kepler grounds out to Olson, unassisted. 1 out.
Polanco doubles down right field line. Runner on 2nd.
Cruz draws a base on balls. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Rosario flies out to Semien. 2 outs.
Cron grounds out to Profar. 3 outs.
Twins strand a couple of base runners.

End of 1st Inning:
OAK 2, MIN 0

Top of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
8. Herrmann
9. Pinder
1. Semien, 1-1, HR, RBI
Odorizzi currently at 25 pitches.
​Herrmann lines out to Odorizzi. 1 out.
Holmes and Lowry tied for Lead in Northern Ireland
Pinder grounds out to Arraez. 2 outs.
Semien draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st.
STOLEN BASE: With Profar at-bat, Semien steals 2nd Base. Runner on 2nd.
MANAGER'S CHALLENGE: Baldelli challenging call at 2nd. Semien safe at 2nd. Call overturned. Semien is out at 2nd. 
Profar will lead-off to start the Top of 3rd Inning.

Middle of 2nd Inning:
OAK 2, MIN 1

Bottom of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
6. Gonzalez
7. Arraez
8. Sano
Bassitt currently at 23 pitches.
Gonzalez flies out to Laureano. 1 out.
​Arraez grounds out to Profar. 2 outs.
Sano draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st.
Keselowski Takes Pole Position at New Hampshire NMECS 
Castro singles to right field. Sano advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Kepler reaches on a Buckner/Durham-like fielding error by Olson. Sano scores. Castro advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd. OAK 2, MIN 1
Polanco lines out to Canha. 3 outs.
Twins get a run, in their half of 2nd Inning.

End of 2nd Inning:
OAK 2, MIN 1

Top of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
2. Profar, 0-1
3. Olson, 0-1
4. Canha, 1-1
Odorizzi currently at 39 pitches.
​Profar pops out to Cron. 1 out.
Olson grounds out to Cron, unassisted. 2 outs.
Canha pops out to Sano. 3 outs.
A's go down 1-2-3, in their half of 3rd Inning.

Middle of 3rd Inning:
OAK 2, MIN 1

Bottom of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
3. Cruz, 0-0
4. Rosario, 0-1
5. Cron, 0-1
Bassitt currently at 47 pitches.
​Cruz gets hit by a pitch. Runner on 1st.
Rosario lines out to Olson. 1 out.
Cron strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
HOME RUN: Gonzalez hits a 2-run home run to right field. Cruz scores. OAK 2, MIN 3
​Arraez gets hit by a pitch. Runner on 1st.
ATHLETICS MOUND VISIT #1: MVR: OAK 4, MIN 4
Sano grounds out to Pinder. 3 outs.
Twins get 2 runs, in their half of 3rd Inning.

End of 3rd Inning:
OAK 2, MIN 3

Top of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
5. Laureano, 0-0
6. Davis, 1-1, RBI
7. Grossman, 0-1
Odorizzi currently at 49 pitches.
​MLB Scores:
Laureano doubles to left center field. Runner on 2nd.
Davis lines out to Kepler. 1 out.
Grossman flies out to Gonzalez. Laureano advances to 3rd. Runner on 3rd. 2 outs.
Herrmann flies out to Rosario. 3 outs.
A's strand a base runner.

Middle of 4th Inning:
OAK 2, MIN 3

Bottom of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
9. Castro, 1-1
1. Kepler, 0-2
2. Polanco, 1-2
​Bassitt currently at 70 pitches.
Castro singles to left field. Runner on 1st.
Kepler lines out to Grossman. 1 out.
Polanco flies out to Laureano. 2 outs.
Cruz gets called out on strikes. 3 outs.
Twins strand a base runner.

End of 4th Inning:
OAK 3, MIN 2

Top of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
9. Pinder, 0-1
1. Semien, 1-1, HR, RBI
2. Profar, 0-2
Odorizzi currently at 71 pitches.
Pinder grounds out to Polanco. 1 out.
Semien doubles to left field line. Semien has HR, BB, 2B in Tonight's game. Runner on 2nd.
Profar strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
Ryne Harper (RHP) warming up in Twins Bullpen.
RBI-SINGLE: Olson hits an RBI-Single to center field. Semien scores. OAK 3, MIN 3
​Canha strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
A's get a run, in their half of 5th Inning.

Middle of 5th Inning:
OAK 3, MIN 3

Bottom of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
4. Rosario, 0-2
5. Cron, 0-2
6. Gonzalez, 1-2, HR, 2 RBI
Bassitt currently at 84 pitches.
Rosario singles to right field. Runner on 1st.
DOUBLE PLAY: Cron grounds into 6-4-3 double play. 2 outs.
Gonzalez grounds out to Profar. 3 outs.
Twins side is retired. 

End of 5th Inning:
OAK 3, MIN 3

Top of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
5. Laureano, 1-1
6. Davis, 1-2, RBI
7. Grossman, 0-2
PITCHING CHANGE: Ryne Harper (RHP) replaces Jake Odorizzi, as Twins Pitcher.
​Laureano hits a ground-ruled double to left field. Runner on 2nd.
RBI-SINGLE: Davis hits an RBI-Single to left field. Laureano scores. OAK 4, MIN 3
​Grossman reaches on 4-6 fielder's choice. Davis is out at 2nd. Runner on 1st. 1 out.
Ryan Buchter (LHP) warming up in A's Bullpen.
Herrmann strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
STOLEN BASE: While Herrmann strikes out swinging, Grossman steals 2nd Base. Runner on 2nd.
RBI-SINGLE: Pinder hits an RBI-Single to left field. Grossman scores. Pinder advances to 2nd, on throw. Runner on 2nd. OAK 5, MIN 3
TWINS MOUND VISIT #2: MVR: OAK 4, MIN 3
Semien lines out to Gonzalez. 3 outs.
A's score a couple of runs, in their half of 6th Inning.

Middle of 6th Inning:
OAK 5, MIN 3

Bottom of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
7. Arraez, 0-1
8. Sano, 0-1
9. Castro, 2-2
​PITCHING CHANGE: Ryan Butcher (LHP) replaces Chris Bassitt, as A's Pitcher.
Arraez flies out to Grossman. 1 out.
Sano draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st.
PINCH-HITTING: Mitch Garver pinch-hitting Jason Castro. 
Garver lines out to Grossman. 2 outs.
Kepler flies out to Grossman. 3 outs.
Twins strand a base runner.

End of 6th Inning:
OAK 5, MIN 3

Top of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
2. Profar, 0-3
3. Olson, 1-3, RBI
4. Canha, 1-3
​Tyler Duffey (RHP) replaces Ryne Harper, as Twins Pitcher.
Profar grounds out to Polanco. 1 out.
Olson singles to right field. Runner on 1st.
Joakim Soria (RHP) warming up in A's Bullpen.
Canha reaches on 5-4 fielder's choice. Olson is out at 2nd. Runner on 1st. 2 outs.
Laureano strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
A's strand a base runner.

Middle of 7th Inning:
OAK 5, MIN 3

Bottom of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
2. Polanco, 1-3
3. Cruz, 0-1
4. Rosario, 1-3
​Buchter currently at 13 pitches.
Polanco grounds out to Pinder. 1 out.
PITCHING CHANGE: Joakim Soria (RHP) replaces Ryan Butcher, as A's Pitcher.
​Cruz singles to center field. Runner on 1st.
Rosario fouls out to Pinder. 2 outs.
Cron flies out to Laureano. 3 outs.
Twins strand a base runner. 

End of 7th Inning:
OAK 5, MIN 3

Top of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
6. Davis, 2-3, 2 RBI
7. Grossman, 0-3
8. Herrmann, 0-3
​PITCHING CHANGE: Blake Parker (RHP) replaces Tyler Duffey, as Twins Pitcher.
MLB Scores:
Davis strikes out swinging. 1 out.
Grossman singles to left field. Runner on 1st.
DOUBLE PLAY: Herrmann lines into an unassisted double play to Cron. 3 outs.
A's side is retired.

Middle of 8th Inning:
OAK 5, MIN 3

Bottom of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
6. Gonzalez, 1-2, HR, 2 RBI
7. Arraez, 0-2
8. Sano, 0-1
​Soria currently at 10 pitches.
Gonzalez flies out to Canha. 1 out.
Arraez hits an infield single. Runner on 1st.
​PITCHING CHANGE: Liam Hendriks (RHP) replaces Joakim Soria, as A's Pitcher.
Sano strikes out swinging 2 outs.
Z. Littell (RHP) and T. Rogers (LHP) warming up in Twins Bullpen.
Garver gets called out on strikes. 3 outs.
Twins strand a base runner.

End of 8th Inning:
OAK 5, MIN 3

Top of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
9. Pinder, 1-3, RBI
1. Semien, HR, RBI
2. Profar, 0-4
​PITCHING CHANGE: Zack Littell (RHP) replaces Blake Parker, as Twins Pitcher.
Pinder strikes out swinging. 1 out.
Semien triples to right field. Semien is a single shy of the cycle. Runner on 3rd.
DOUBLE PLAY: Profar grounds into 3-2-3 double play. 3 outs. 
A's side is retired. 

Middle of 9th Inning:
OAK 5, MIN 3

Bottom of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
1. Kepler, 0-4
2. Polanco, 1-4
3. Cruz, 1-2
​Hendricks currently at 6 pitches.
DEFENSIVE SUBSTITUTION: Matt Chapman replaces Jurickson Profar at 3rd Base. 
DEFENSIVE SWITCH: Chad Pinder moves from 3rd Base to 2nd Base.
Kepler strikes out swinging. 1 out.
Polanco flies out to Grossman. 2 outs.
Cruz grounds out to Chapman. 3 outs.
Twins go down 1-2-3, to end the game.

Final:
OAK 5, MIN 3
OAK: (56-42)
MIN: (59-37)
W: Bassitt (7-4)
L: Harper (3-2)
SV: Hendricks (7)
PoG: Semien (OAK) 3-4, HR, 2B, 3B, BB, RBI
ToG: 3:21

Final Thoughts:
A's outlast Twins in a hot and humid day at Target Field. Marcus Semien sets the tone of the game, with a lead-off home run. Twins took the lead, in the Bottom of 3rd, with a 2-run shot by Marwin Gonzalez. A Matt Olson RBI-Single ties the game, in the Top of 5th Inning. And a 2-run A's 6th Inning, was the difference in tonight's game. 

Now here's how both teams stand in the American League Standings:

Oakland Athletics:
Record: 56-42
Divisional Position: 2nd in A.L. West. 5.5 GB of Houston Astros
Wild Card Position: 2nd A.L. Wild Card, 1 game ahead of Tampa Bay Rays.

Minnesota Twins:
Record: 59-37
Divisional Position: 1st in A.L. Central

Tomorrow Night it is Brett Anderson for the A's and Jose Berrios for the Twins. 

This is Paul Shishkoff, Jr. This has been 'Live Blogging on Shish on Baseball'. Thanks for visiting this page.
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