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Twins don't quit, make valiant comeback bid

Dozier's three-run HR caps six-run fourth, but bats stymied thereafter

CINCINNATI -- After falling behind by eight runs after just three innings, it would've been easy for the Twins to roll over against the Reds on Monday night at Great American Ball Park.

But the Twins rallied for six runs in the fourth, keyed by a three-run homer from Brian Dozier off right-hander Mike Leake with two outs. It made it just a two-run game, but the Twins weren't able to add on in an eventual 11-7 loss.

"It could've been a mail-it-in kind of game, but we don't have that mentality," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "We know it's a big hurdle, but you have to keep playing. Your at-bats are precious. You're only going to get so many no matter how long play. So just try to take advantage every time up there. Dozier gave us life with that homer [on an] 0-2 [pitch], but it kind of stymied after that point."

Dozier said the Twins never lost confidence even after falling behind by such a big margin with right-hander Mike Pelfrey struggling and lasting just two-plus innings.

"You try to look at the positives and we didn't quit," Dozier said. "We felt like we're always in the game. Especially here, anything can happen with a few swings of the bat. It's such a cracker-jack box. So you put that together with our fight, we never thought we were out of the game."

The Reds, though, were able to add to their lead with runs against reliever Ryan Pressly in the sixth and seventh innings. Cincinnati's bullpen had been worked hard as they were needed for 10 innings Sunday. But the Twins couldn't score over the final five frames against a combination of Nate Adcock, Manny Parra and closer Aroldis Chapman.

"We know their bullpen was fatigued after what they went through [Sunday] and their innings as of late, you think you have life, especially in the fifth, sixth, seventh before you get to the big boy at the end," Molitor said. "You're hoping you can get it to even or get ahead. But those guys were able to put zeros up. We weren't able to get anything against those guys."

Rhett Bollinger is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Bollinger Beat, follow him on Twitter @RhettBollinger and listen to his podcast.
Read More: Minnesota Twins, Brian Dozier, Mike Pelfrey