Plouuuuuuuuuuufe!
As we learned a few weeks and/or ten years ago, the 2015 Minnesota Twins season got off to a horrendous start. It looked for all the world like another lost season at 1 Twins Way.
But on April 17, Trevor Plouffe stepped to the plate in extra innings in front of 21,306 (+ me) Target Field faithful and changed the narrative with one mighty swing of the bat.
Coming into this contest, the Twins were 3-6 and struggling for purchase on the young ‘15 season. A few more shovels of dirt were added when the Cleveland Guardians tagged Mike Pelfrey & Tim Stauffer for early runs en route to a 2-0 advantage.
Twins bats were silent (0 hits) against Corey Kluber until the sixth inning—when Cleveland unravelled.
Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images
After Oswaldo Arcia opened the H column with a single, he was quickly wild-pitched to 2B. Chris Herrmann then grounded a ball through the right side of the infield and a throwing error from RF Brandon Moss allowed Arcia to scoot home.
The next AB? Jordan Schafer grounded one to CLE shortstop Jose Ramirez, who tried to nail Hermann at 3B—and failed. Stranger still, Twins leadoff batter Danny Santana then attempted a squeeze bunt—which produced no movement besides a fielder’s choice. The rally seemed to come up one run short when Eduardo Escobar struck out swinging. But wait—catcher Roberto Perez let the ball get by him and Herrmann scored! All knotted at 2-2.
Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images
The line score would stay that way for a considerable period as MN relievers Aaron Thompson, Glen Perkins, Caleb Thielbar (1.0 Edition), & Blaine Boyer all goose-egged the Guardians through the 11th frame.
The bottom of the 11th started with Plouffe facing off against Bryan Shaw. On pitch # 5…
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The above was my literal—not metaphorical—reaction to Trevor’s tater. I actually screamed so loud that I lost my voice for a time!
The Twins didn’t immediately go on a winning tear after these heroics. In fact, they sat at just 10-12 by April 2015’s end. But Plouffe’s propellant provided the first spark after the disastrous start.
Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images