Article: Twins Get Crushed In Game 2

[Seth Stohs]

Thirty minutes following the Minnesota Twins 7-1 win in Cleveland, the two teams played the second game of the doubleheader. It was a tale of two very different baseball games. The team fell 10-2 to Cleveland after another frustrating, and very short, start for Mike Pelfrey. Scoreboard watching, and hope that the Angels and Astros lose, becomes much more important.Things started out a bit shaky for Pelfrey in the first inning. He was able to wiggle his way out of a bases-loaded, two out situation. However, in the second inning, he was not.

 

2^nd Inning

 

Abraham Almonte doubled to center. (6.7%)

Adam Moore struck out (-4.5%)

Michael Martinez singled to center, scoring Almonte. Martinez advanced to second on a wild throw by Aaron Hicks. (11.3%)

Jason Kipnis lined out to shortstop. (-3.0%)

Jose Ramirez doubled to left field, Martinez scored. (10.1%)

Francisco Lindor singled to first base. (1.0%)

Lindor advanced to second on a wild pitch. Jose Ramirez scored. (6.9%)

Carlos Santana singled to center. Lindor scored. (5.4%)

Mike Pelfrey’s night was complete. JR Graham came on.

 

Santana was thrown thrown out trying to steal second base by Chris Herrmann. But the damage was done. The Twins had their big inning in Game 1. Going into the second inning, Cleveland had a 54.8% win expectancy. Following Santana’s run-scoring single, that number was up to 88.7%

 

After that, there weren’t really any hits that contributed to Cleveland’s win expectancy. They just continued to add runs. Graham gave up one run in the third inning. Brian Duensing gave up a run in his 1.1 innings. Phil Hughes gave up a hit, but no runs, in his inning. Ryan O’Rourke threw a perfect sixth inning.

 

Ricky Nolasco returned to the mound for the first time since May 31. He got a ground out and then struck out the next two batters with an impressive curve ball. He could very easily have thrown in the towel on his season, but he worked his way back and you have to feel good for him. We won’t mention the three runs in gave up in his second inning of work that gave Cleveland a 10-1 lead.

 

However, the Twins were unable to figure out Cody Anderson for the second straight time. In this one, they had just two hits over seven shutout innings. Anderson did walk four, but the Twins really didn’t mount much of a scoring threat against him.

 

Zach McAllister came on for the eighth inning. He gave up a solo homer to Miguel Sano. The 430 foot blast from the rookie was his 18^th of the year.

 

In the ninth inning, Austin Adams gave up a solo homer to Eddie Rosario to give the 10-2 final score.

 

The Performance of Pelfrey

 

As noted above, it was another bad start for Pelfrey. Though the safe call on the Francisco Lindor infield single cost him an out and two runs in the second, he was just being hit so hard, and he was hurting himself by being all over the place with his control. However, that can change with one call and getting that third out. Things could have been different.

 

He will (most likely) end his 2015 season (and maybe his Twins career) by going 6-11 with a 4.26 ERA.

 

Coming into the game on Wednesday night, here is where the Twins starters ranked in FIP (fielding independent pitching), a stat which many suggest shows how well a pitcher has been able to control the things that he can control

 

Mike Pelfrey – 3.99 (this got worse on Wednesday)

Kyle Gibson – 4.05 (this improved on Wednesday)

Ervin Santana – 4.22

Tommy Milone – 4.40

Phil Hughes – 4.72

Tyler Duffey – 3.18 (but his 51 innings is about one half to one fourth of the innings of each of the top five starters above)

 

That’s just one number, one statistic, of course. Here’s how his ERA ranked coming into the games on Wednesday:

 

Kyle Gibson – 3.96

Tommy Milone – 4.04

Mike Pelfrey – 4.09

Ervin Santana – 4.10

Phil Hughes – 4.43

 

Pelfrey’s ERA jumped to 4.26, but he’s still in line with the other Twins starters. He’s been a decent fifth starter and was very important to the team’s success in the first half.

 

However, he was remarkably inconsistent. In 16 of his 30 starts, he went at least five innings and gave up less than two earned runs. However, in ten of his 30 starts, he wasn’t able to complete five innings. Five of his final ten starts were less than five innings.

 

So this performance was certainly predictable.

 

WILD CARD UPDATE

 

The Twins went 1-1.

 

The Angels lost to the A’s.

 

The Astros beat the Mariners.

 

The Astros have now jumped back in to the second Wild Card position, 1/2 game ahead of the Angels. The Twins are 1 1/2 games behind Houston with four games to play.

 

It’s not over yet!

 

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[nater79a]

I believe if Houston wins they would be 1 1/2 games up on the Twins, Currently they are dead even with the Angels at 83-75.

[nater79a]

This Jose Ramirez pimping on his HR late in the game could make for an interesting dynamic in tomorrow's game. Suzuki, Brunansky and Molitor were really on his case as he rounded the bases. Eddie Rosario even had a few words for Ramirez as he passed by him on his 9th inning shot.  

 

Look for a few brush back pitches tomorrow...maybe from both teams.

[Dantes929]

We only scored 1 run anyway and were kind of due for a game like this.   Good news is gaining half a game on LA and possibly half on Houston who are behind right now.    A lot of grief given to the bullpen but really this is the kind of game where they tended (seemed so to me anyway) to give up most of the runs.    The ones they were likely to lose anyway.   Of course they lost some games for us but every bull pen does and frankly, it seemed like most of them were by our all star closer.   They had a lot of 4 and 5 inning games where they kept us in it by giving up 1 or fewer.

[DaveW]

 

This Jose Ramirez pimping on his HR late in the game could make for an interesting dynamic in tomorrow's game. Suzuki, Brunansky and Molitor were really on his case as he rounded the bases. Eddie Rosario even had a few words for Ramirez as he passed by him on his 9th inning shot.  

 

Look for a few brush back pitches tomorrow...maybe from both teams.

The Twins are literally in the middle(end) of the playoff hunt. They would be beyond foolish to try to pull any such crap. The only scenario I would be ok with:

 

Twins up by 7 runs or more, bottom of ninth, Ramirez at that plate, Nolasco or someone else on the mound who wont be on the playoff roster. Then by all means, throw at him. If that isn't the scenario? Let it go, or wait until 2016 for your stupid and silly payback.

[Seth Stohs]

Definitely best to wait until 2016 to do anything about it. Tomorrow's game is too important to do anything like this.

[jimmer]

Or how about not doing anything about it because getting mad about it is stupid to begin with? Maybe they can pretend for awhile they aren't children?

Edited October 1, 2015 by jimmer

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Concur. No way. Sounds like the dugout was venting some steam because they were losing, but it's all business tomorrow.

[zchrz]

Seemed like Anderson was throwing a ton of changeups about belt high, those are supposed to go into the seats not the catchers glove. 

[Platoon]

Since the Twins have an excess of healthy and high quality pitchers, I can see no reason for them not to initiate a bean ball war today! Besides none of the suspensions would likely be served until 2016!

[sorney]

 

Or how about not doing anything about it because getting mad about it is stupid to begin with? Maybe they can pretend for awhile they aren't children?

I've never understood this....I have (and still am) been playing baseball for a long time, and never have I got pissed if a guy *showed* us up because he hit an HR or did something big.  Baseball, the game itself, will take care of whatever injustice happens when an opposing player celebrates too much for someones liking.  If the Twins are that pissed that he hit a HR, don't serve up a meatball.  Strike him out next time.  Otherwise, stop whining.

[h2oface]

I don't think I will ever think of Pelfrey and a Twin. Just a visitor here that stayed 2 years past his welcome, for me. I won't miss him, and will be glad to seem him pitching batting practice on a visiting team when he comes to Target.

[Circus Boy]

 

Or how about not doing anything about it because getting mad about it is stupid to begin with? Maybe they can pretend for awhile they aren't children?

 

It's a child's game, after all.

[Cap'n Piranha]

Can we have Pelfrey clean out his locker now, or do we have to wait until the end of the season?

[Mike Sixel]

Or how about not doing anything about it because getting mad about it is stupid to begin with? Maybe they can pretend for awhile they aren't children?

this, 100% this. Who cares? It is only an insult if you decide to allow yourself to be bothered......so childish. It literally hurts no one to celebrate a HR.

[Cap'n Piranha]

For the Ramirez HR thing, I have no problem with the Twins sending a message. I wish Nolasco would have put one right on Lindor first pitch of that at bat, and then stared down Ramirez in the dugout.

 

For those saying it shouldn't be a big deal, realize that while this is just a game to us, it's a profession to the players. Imagine if you have a presentation to your boss, and a co-worker called out everything you did wrong, and then e-mailed a video of that to the whole company. Can anyone honestly say they wouldn't be upset?

[Mike Sixel]

For the Ramirez HR thing, I have no problem with the Twins sending a message. I wish Nolasco would have put one right on Lindor first pitch of that at bat, and then stared down Ramirez in the dugout.

 

For those saying it shouldn't be a big deal, realize that while this is just a game to us, it's a profession to the players. Imagine if you have a presentation to your boss, and a co-worker called out everything you did wrong, and then e-mailed a video of that to the whole company. Can anyone honestly say they wouldn't be upset?

A: Not even close to the same thing. If my coworker celebrated his better presentation by high fiving someone, whatever. I might be annoyed for like 5 seconds.

 

B: I don't react to things that "upset" me with violence.

[jimmer]

 

this, 100% this. Who cares? It is only an insult if you decide to allow yourself to be bothered......so childish. It literally hurts no one to celebrate a HR.

Exactly.  Instead of saying we made a decision that backfired and our pitcher threw up a meatball, lets deflect it onto the batter who made us pay for the decision our manager made and lack of execution on the part of the pitcher.

 

That kind of behavior isn't childish AT ALL.

[jimmer]

 

A: Not even close to the same thing. If my coworker celebrated his better presentation by high fiving someone, whatever. I might be annoyed for like 5 seconds.

B: I don't react to things that "upset" me with violence.

I love it when players and fans advocate throwing a 90 plus MPH pitch at player on purpose.  Nothing childish about that.

[TNTwinsFan]

For the Ramirez HR thing, I have no problem with the Twins sending a message. I wish Nolasco would have put one right on Lindor first pitch of that at bat, and then stared down Ramirez in the dugout.

For those saying it shouldn't be a big deal, realize that while this is just a game to us, it's a profession to the players. Imagine if you have a presentation to your boss, and a co-worker called out everything you did wrong, and then e-mailed a video of that to the whole company. Can anyone honestly say they wouldn't be upset?

 

I think it would be closer to something like a competitor doing that rather than a co-worker. And in a highly competitive, testosterone-driven industry. I think I fall more in line with what you're advocating. Let the players sort this out.

 

Anyone remember the Sano benching a couple years back, after he show-boated after an absolute BOMB? The coaches did that becuase you DON'T DO THAT. Destroy the pitch. Put your head down. Run your bases. Celebrate with your team in the dugout or on your way back to the dugout, or at the plate. DO NOT TAUNT THE OPPOSING TEAM. It's unbecoming and unprofessional. If you do, expect to get what's coming to you. Throwing at someone is the consequence; you want to avoid that situation? Act right.

[twinsnorth49]

 

Or how about not doing anything about it because getting mad about it is stupid to begin with? Maybe they can pretend for awhile they aren't children?

I don't agree with retribution but it's just a bit ironic to tell grown men who play a child's game for millions of dollars for a living to grow up.

[jimmer]

 

I don't agree with retribution but it's just a bit ironic to tell grown men who play a child's game for millions of dollars for a living to grow up.

It's a kids game, but it's also their job, for which they get paid tons of money, and they are adults. Suggesting adults shouldn't act like adults and excusing/encouraging violence because they play a kids game as their profession seems very silly to me.  Maybe their paychecks should be given to their parents to put into a trust?

Edited October 1, 2015 by jimmer

[twinsnorth49]

 

It's a kids game, but it's also their job, for which they get paid tons of money, and they are adults. Suggesting adults shouldn't act like adults and excusing/encouraging violence because they play a kids game seems very silly to me.

I didn't say they shouldn't, I said it was ironic. In reality, none of them have ever really been asked to grow up.

[jimmer]

 

I didn't say they shouldn't, I said it was ironic. In reality, none of them have ever really been asked to grow up.

Maybe the people in the game have done them a disservice in that regard.  Maybe that should change with the complete abandonment of a good chunk of the old school unwrittten rules.  

Edited October 1, 2015 by jimmer

[Mike Sixel]

I don't get how baseball is a child's game in the first place. That sounds like some kind of romantic statement that only a few really believe if they think about it. It is a profession, a really hard profession.

[TNTwinsFan]

Violence does not equal childish behavior. Sometimes things need to be settled that way. I guess no one here likes hockey fights, UFC, Boxing, Martial Arts, etc? I'm not advocating free-for all; it should be settled in a controlled environment and within reason. Nor am I saying that those involved shouldn't have some third-party imposed penalty (fines, short-termed suspension, etc). But for Pete's sake, stop trying to wussify every damned aspect of life!

[Mike Sixel]

Violence does not equal childish behavior. Sometimes things need to be settled that way. I guess no one here likes hockey fights, UFC, Boxing, Martial Arts, etc? I'm not advocating free-for all; it should be settled in a controlled environment and within reason. Nor am I saying that those involved shouldn't have some third-party imposed penalty (fines, short-termed suspension, etc). But for Pete's sake, stop trying to wussify every damned aspect of life!

the thought that violence is the answer to a problem that doesn't actually exist is a huge problem in the world. Huge. I weep that anyone thinks this is a good idea.

 

UFC, boxing, MA.....those are professional fights. That's their purpose. How is that the same thing at all?

[jimmer]

Violence does not equal childish behavior. Sometimes things need to be settled that way. I guess no one here likes hockey fights, UFC, Boxing, Martial Arts, etc? I'm not advocating free-for all; it should be settled in a controlled environment and within reason. Nor am I saying that those involved shouldn't have some third-party imposed penalty (fines, short-termed suspension, etc). But for Pete's sake, stop trying to wussify every damned aspect of life!

 

All those other sports you refer to are contact sports.  Baseball is not a contact sport.  And, with the exception of hockey, the whole point of those other sports is to fight.  And with hockey, checking is part of the game.

 

So yeah, I think it's easy to say people can like those sports and can still stand behind the idea that violence in baseball shouldn't be allowed and is childish.

Edited October 1, 2015 by jimmer

[twinsnorth49]

 

I don't get how baseball is a child's game in the first place. That sounds like some kind of romantic statement that only a few really believe if they think about it. It is a profession, a really hard profession.

Seriously? When does everyone start playing baseball? It's a profession for a chosen few, how many kids play baseball vs adults who do it for a living? 

 

Actually it's when I really think about it, that it occurs to me it's just a game, played mostly by kids, for fun.

[TNTwinsFan]

I don't get how baseball is a child's game in the first place. That sounds like some kind of romantic statement that only a few really believe if they think about it. It is a profession, a really hard profession.

It seems like some folks want to classify it as a kids game simply because its termed a "game". Its fun (for those that have some skill), but does that make it a "game"? Under the broadest definition, isn't everything we do kind of a game in itself? Is there not competition against someone or something? Are there not obstacles to overcome in every job? Are you not having fun at your job, therefore, its not a game? Ever heard some guys retire from sports because it "wasn't fun anymore"? I've heard the same phrase (and experienced it myself) from people in the Military.

 

Like mike wants wins alluded to, playing baseball at the highest level (or any level) is difficult and requires hours and hours of work (like almost any proffession or anything in life). Don't try to trivialize what those have done to get to where they are and do what they do for a living. Ultimately, if you don't like it, go watch junior high school janitors mop floors and clean toilets. Its a lot less violent, thus less childish AND it costs a lot less.