Brandon Kintzler landed in the percolator on Friday and escaped with any burn marks, the latest impressive feat for the 31-year old who didn't know what closing was like until this season.
A couple fans on twitter rooted for Kyle Gibson to pitch the ninth. He had thrown just 96 pitches and looked in total control. But Kintzler came out for the ninth.
When Kintzler gave up two singles in the ninth, the twit-forks (get it?) came out. When Kintzler lost an 11-pitch battle with Xander Bogaerts and walked him, the doomsday predictions began.
Did Twins manager Paul Molitor botch this one?
Here's Kintzler on how the inning started:
``Things started spiraling, especially with their (big) guys coming up," he said. ``Then that terrible slider to Pedroia where he could just poke it the other way. I was so sweaty. I was really trying to throw a slider, but it was just flying out of my hand. After that, you just have to go back to what your strengths are to where they are going to have to earn it.
``The Bogaerts battle was definitely an exhausting at bat. You walk him. You don't really want Papi to come up in the situation, but you're still a ground ball away from getting two outs. That's really not the worst situation."
To myself, I thought, `WHAT?!?!?!' When he said that.
``It was a big moment right there," Kintzler said. ``It's fun. It's why we play the game. It's not like I drew it up like that, but that's what it is. It's one of those moments where he is going to beat me or I am going to get him."
Again, this guy's attitude is unreal. Ortiz has 527 career homers, but Kintzler was going for him.
``Sinkers down and away," Kintzler said of his approach to Big Papi. ``He's going to have to try to lift (my sinker). Obviously he is going to try to be a hero there, and it worked out in my favor."
The Twins were playing in, hoping to cut off a run at the plate. Ortiz hit a grounder to Brian Dozier, who made a careful and precise throw home to Juan Centeno. Centeno rifled a throw to Joe Mauer at first. Ortiz's wheels...do not exist. And so he was doubled up.
``I didn't even know we were playing in," Kintzler said. ``I turned around and was like, `OHHHHH! Double play.' "
In 16 games since being named the Twins closer, Kintzler has a 1.80 ERA and seven saves. None of the previous six like the one he pulled off on Friday.
