The car enveloped in flames atop the parking ramp just beyond Target Field’s right-field scoreboard Sunday is a useful analogy for what the Twins believe was happening to their season down on the field.

Suddenly, Hinch had to get his bullpen ready. Mize struck out Matt Wallner, then Ty France singled up the middle knocking in a run and Mize was done, as the Twins held a 4-1 lead. He gave up four earned runs, allowed seven hits, although two of them were homers. He had three strikeouts with no walks.