Blake Snell belonged to an exclusive club as he took the mound Tuesday, and he paid the price for it. Snell is one of eight big-league pitchers who has ever struck out Willians Astudillo, a fact that the Twins' utility entertainer remembered well.
"Last year, I faced him twice, and he struck me out," Astudillo said after an eventful night in the Twins' 9-4 victory over the Rays. "So after that, I said he won't strike me out again."
He didn't, and now Snell belongs to a different club, one that's becoming less exclusive all the time: Cy Young winners who have been beaten by the Twins. Snell allowed 11 hits, recorded only 10 outs, and became the fifth Cy Young winner, including both of last year's awardees, to absorb a loss against Minnesota's explosive offense.
Eddie Rosario, on the eve of All-Star Election Day, made his case with four hits in five at-bats, while Astudillo, an All-Star in the hearts of Target Field's fan base, collected three more and the Twins scored seven times off Snell.
The victory restored Minnesota's AL Central lead over Cleveland to 8½ games. Kansas City scored five runs in the ninth against Cleveland closer Brad Hand to rally for an 8-6 victory.
"Tip my hat — he's a great pitcher, one of the best in the league," Astudillo said after smacking a run-scoring single and a leadoff double in his two at-bats against Tampa Bay's embattled ace. "[But] here we were again today, and we won the game."
They did, with plenty of contributions from La Tortuga. He saw eight pitches in four at-bats, and smacked three of them for hits. He also nearly ran through a wall to catch a foul ball, managing to hold on to it as he bounced off the padding and to the ground.
"Just a classic Tortuga," Twins pitcher Kyle Gibson said appreciatively.