Rosario denies Fowler with over-the-wall grab
Twins outfielder's catch sets early tone in win over Cards
ST. LOUIS -- Twins left fielder Eddie Rosario robbed William Fowler of a two-run homer in the first inning of Monday night's 6-0 win over the Cardinals with a leaping grab against the wall.
Fowler, whose walk-off home run on Sunday gave the Cardinals a 4-3 win over the Cubs, drove a Fernando Romero fastball the opposite way. But Rosario jumped, extending his glove over the wall, to make the catch as he crashed into the wall.
"I thought it was a really good play," Molitor said. "You're not playing at depth with a left-handed hitter up there and he got back on it very well. Tracked it well and he timed it perfectly. That's a huge play especially after we score in the top of the first."
Cardinals manager Mike Matheny thought it was a homer.
"That was surprising," Matheny said. "That was probably the best ball Dex has hit the other way all season. He went back on that ball. It's a 2-2 game at that point. It took a bit of wind out of us."
It was the second circus catch Rosario made at the wall in the past four games. On Thursday, he robbed White Sox outfielder Adam Engel of extra bases with a running catch at the wall.
His latest grab, however, saved a home run.
"I don't rob this homer, the game's 2-2 in the first inning," Rosario said. "It changed everything."
The catch provided a boost to rookie starter Romero, who pitched six scoreless innings for his second win.
"I appreciate the play," Romero said. "He's always pushing for the team."
Rosario's RBI double in the top of the first extended his hitting streak to eight games and gave the Twins a 2-0 lead. Rosario has now hit in 10 of his last 11 games.