Mistakes Plague Twins in Loss

ARLINGTON, TX -- The Minnesota Twins continued to struggle offensively and a big error late in the ballgame led to a 6-2 loss to the Texas Rangers on Friday night.

Minnesota looked to be in good shape in the first inning as the first three Twins batters reached base. Trevor Plouffe hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to give the Twins a 1-0 lead, but that was all Minnesota batters could muster until the eighth inning.

Starter Tommy Milone gave the Twins a great outing, surrendering only two runs on three hits through seven innings.

Trailing 2-1 in the top of the eighth inning, Brian Dozier hit his 12th home run of the season -- a solo shot to left field to tie the game.

The Minnesota bullpen gave up four unearned runs in the bottom of the eighth after center fielder Aaron Hicks dropped a would-be inning-ending fly ball with the bases loaded that allowed two runs to score. The next batter, Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus, then singled in two more runs to blow the game open.

The Twins posed little threat in the top of the ninth and catcher Kurt Suzuki hit into a game-ending double play as the Twins drop their fourth straight and sixth out of the past seven to fall to 33-27 on the season.

The Twins and Rangers continue their weekend series today at 3:05 p.m. with Mike Pelfrey (5-2) taking the mound for Minnesota against Texas starter Colby Lewis (4-2).