Even without the no-hitter, Maeda enters Twins record books

Kenta Maeda, Twins pitcher (⬆️ UP)

Through eight innings Tuesday night, Maeda had a no-hitter going along with 12 strikeouts and two walks. Even though he was sitting at a career-high 115 pitches, the right-hander trotted out for the ninth inning for a chance to become the third Japanese pitcher to throw a no-hitter. Unfortunately, utility man Eric Sogard ended Maeda’s chance at history with a bloop single, but Maeda still went into the Twins record books by whiffing eight consecutive Brewers from the third to fifth innings.

Crystal Dangerfield, Lynx guard (⬆️ UP)

Maya Moore, Napheesa Collier … and Dangerfield? Could another Lynx player from the University of Connecticut win Rookie of Year? So far, Dangerfield looks the part. During Saturday’s 94-64 win over the New York Liberty, the rookie poured in 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting and added four assists and one rebound for her seventh straight game in double figures. Among rookies, Dangerfield ranks second in 3-point makes (14) third in points per game (13.6), fourth in assists per game (3.2) and sixth with a 47.1% field-goal percentage.

Byron Buxton, Twins outfielder (⬇️ DOWN)

It looked like Buxton was on a tear after notching back-to-back three-hit games on Aug. 11-12. However, in his last five contests, Buxton has slumped to 1-for-18 with four strikeouts and no walks, adding up to a dismal BABIP of .067. Buck did, however, score the game-winning run to secure a 4-3 win for Minnesota on Tuesday night.

Taylor Rogers, Twins closer (⬇️ DOWN)

The featured lefty in Mister Rogers’ K-borhood, a nicknamefor Minnesota’s dominant bullpen that we’re trying to get trending, has been struggling (in his terms, at least) lately. Rogers blew his second save of the season Tuesday when he allowed the Brewers to score three runs, spoiling the win for Maeda after a near no-hitter performance. Hitters are making hard contact 37% of the time against Rogers, which is up from 31.6% last year.

Nelson Cruz, Twins designated hitter (⬆️ UP)

Where would this Twins offense be without Cruz? While Minnesota hasn’t scored more than four runs since Aug. 12, Cruz keeps rolling. The 40-year-old slugger has clobbered four homers over his last five games, including two in the Twins’ 4-1 win over Kansas City on Monday. Cruz ranks seventh in baseball with a 1.081 OPS.

Mikiah Herbert Harrigan, Lynx forward (⬆️ UP)

Dangerfield isn’t the only Lynx rookie finding her footing in the WNBA. Herbert Harrigan, who is being eased into Minnesota’s rotation, put up her first double-digit scoring effort Saturday with 11 points against the Liberty on 5-of-6 shooting. On the season, the No. 6 overall pick is shooting 5 of 10 from 3-point range.