Article: TEX 4, MIN 1: Twins Muster Just 3 Hits in Loss

[Tom Froemming]

The Twins managed just three hits and Joey Gallo blasted a three-run homer for Texas. That about says it all. Adalberto Mejia lasted just four innings, but that was in part due to the fact that his teammates made a couple of crucial misplays.Win Expectancy (via Fangraphs)

Download attachment: WinEx83.png

Brian Dozier and Max Kepler, the top two batters in tonight’s order, have both really been struggling of late. Dozier was 0 for 4 tonight, and is now 5 for 37 (.135) since the start of that West Coast road trip with 13 strikeouts and no walks. Kepler, 0 for 3 tonight, is now 11 for 66 (.167) since the All-Star break.

 

It was a weird night for Mejia. He walked the first batter of the game, then gave up back-to-back singles, putting Texas up 1-0 before the Twins even recorded an out. But then just like that, Adalberto struck out the next five batters he faced.

 

After a 30-pitch first frame, Mejia faced the minimum in both the second and third innings. Things got messy in the fourth, however, as his defense misplayed a couple of balls. After retiring the leadoff man, Mejia gave up a “double” to Mike Napoli that bounced out of a sliding Eddie Rosario’s glove. Baseball Savant had the hit probability on that ball at just three percent.

That proved costly, as Gallo would later hit a two-out three-run homer. Also in the fourth inning, Joe Mauer committed his first error of the season, missing the catch on a foul pop up. I think pretty much all of Twins Territory made this same face on Mauer’s error:

Though no runners scored after the error, Mejia had to throw 40 pitches that inning, which forced him out of the game. Adalberto gave up four runs on seven hits and three walks. His six strikeouts tied a career high.

 

Dillon Gee made his Twins debut, becoming the 30th different pitcher for the team this season, which sets a franchise record. He pitched three scoreless innings and tallied four strikeouts.

 

The Twins hits came from Eddie Rosario, Jason Castro and Byron Buxton, who hit an RBI double.

Postgame With Molitor

Twins Record

Overall: 51-55 (.481)

Last 10: 2-8 (.200)

Last 20: 6-14 (.300)

Last 40: 17-23 (.425)

Last 80: 37-43 (.463)

 

A couple of big stories to follow over these final two months will be who is playing shortstop and how young players like Zack Granite are being used. Things will get even more interesting once rosters expand. With that in mind, these game recaps will also include some info on recent starting lineups. Enjoy.

 

Defensive Lineups

Here's a look at the starting lineups from the past seven games:

Download attachment: Lineups83.png

Bullpen Usage

Here’s a quick look at the number of pitches thrown by the bullpen over the past five days:

Download attachment: Pen83.png

Looking Ahead

Friday: Twins (Bartolo Colon) vs. Texas (Martin Perez), 7:10 pm CT

 

In four second-half starts, Perez has a 7.03 ERA and 1.52 WHIP. But the southpaw has great numbers against current Twins hitters, holding them to a .189/.267/.208 line over 61 PAs. As a team, the Twins have a .697 OPS vs. LHP. League average is .744.

 

Colon is coming off his best start as a Twin, having held the A's to three runs over 6.1 IP. Adrian Beltre, who recently recorded his 3,000th hit, has an .844 OPS and six homers off Colon over his career.

 

Saturday: Twins (Kyle Gibson) vs. Texas (Cole Hamels)

Sunday: Twins (TBD) vs. Texas (Nick Martinez)

Next Series: Twins host the Brewers in a two-game series before heading to Milwaukee for two games.

 

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[Dantes929]

Lets see.  Positives.    Buxton inching his average up.  Bullpen with 5 scoreless innings.     

Tom, what is the Twins record since you started doing these wrap ups?   Its really the only correlation I can come up with for the Twins playing so lousy, though I guess the all star break probably didn't help.

[Tom Froemming]

 

Lets see.  Positives.    Buxton inching his average up.  Bullpen with 5 scoreless innings.     

Tom, what is the Twins record since you started doing these wrap ups?   Its really the only correlation I can come up with for the Twins playing so lousy, though I guess the all star break probably didn't help.

Well, I believe started these when they were out in Seattle. They had a 29-24 record at that point. So, looks like they're 22-31 since ... sorry

[howeda7]

Get Dozier the $%^ out of the lead-off spot. Get Vargas and Garver up. 

[Han Joelo]

Dozier at lead-off feels kind of scholarshippy to me.  Considering the vast amount of lineups Molitor has used.

 

But what difference would it make right now?

 

I was half-watching towards the end, and the last I noted, Boshers had two men on with no outs.  I guess he worked that out?  Well good job fringe bullpen guys, for keeping the run differential down when it absolutely doesn't matter.  Now Pythagoras doesn't think they are quite as bad as they really are right now.

[Vanimal46]

Sounds like it's about time Dozier got moved out of the lead-off spot. It also feels like it's a weekly occurrence with Rosario having mental lapses in the OF. Sigh.... 

[USAFChief]

Embarrassing effort all the way around last night.  From kicking the ball around, to lackadaisical half hearted ABs, to Dozier jogging out of the box on a ground ball to short, to sloppy infield play where (once again) nobody seems to know what the heck they're supposed to do, to the appearance of a team mailing it in.

 

Sad to see.  Much of it is on the players themselves, but it's also another reason Molitor should be replaced.  That was not a MLB team on the field last night.

 

 

[drjim]

I believe when you are a fringe contender and you sell, effort/result is going to fall off. Could be an ugly 2 months.

[Vanimal46]

 

I believe when you are a fringe contender and you sell, effort/result is going to fall off. Could be an ugly 2 months.

 

Agreed. They do have to find a way to motivate themselves now that the season is over. Whether that's pumping up their stats, earning their next contract, or securing a role on the team next season. 

 

Still not sure the right leadership is in place for the young players to follow.... Specifically Molitor and Dozier who's supposed to be the veteran clubhouse leader.

[drjim]

Agreed. They do have to find a way to motivate themselves now that the season is over. Whether that's pumping up their stats, earning their next contract, or securing a role on the team next season.

 

Still not sure the right leadership is in place for the young players to follow.... Specifically Molitor and Dozier who's supposed to be the veteran clubhouse leader.

Certainly possible they aren't right. Might be good for Dozier to get away from here as well.

 

I do think you scrap and claw to borderline relevance and management pulls the rug out, it's a little deflating.

[Vanimal46]

 

Certainly possible they aren't right. Might be good for Dozier to get away from here as well.

I do think you scrap and claw to borderline relevance and management pulls the rug out, it's a little deflating.

 

No doubt it's deflating. However, the FO was merely reacting to how the team was playing. They wanted to make smart buy trades, and when the wheels fell off, they changed course. We could say they should have bought earlier, and I would agree with that. Not much else you can do when they play .300 baseball over the last 20 games. 

[blindeke]

This team needs to be shaken up like a snowglobe.

[Willihammer]

 

I believe when you are a fringe contender and you sell, effort/result is going to fall off. Could be an ugly 2 months.

Like the Rangers did?

[Willihammer]

Jeez who knew 88 mph fastballs could be so hard to hit. When's this Griffin guy hit free agency?

[drjim]

Like the Rangers did?

They haven't exactly lit it up either. Someone has to win.

[Winston Smith]

Dozier claims to be a leader and was a big complainer when they made the trades, he needs to take a long look in the mirror. I guess when he looks in the mirror his only thought is "nice hair".

Two years ago when they thought they were in it Dozier was mia down the stretch, last year when it meant nothing he is great. Where has he been this year when they need his "leadership"? Mia again.

[Loosey]

Paul Molitor is really good at math.  "Gallo's 3 run homer was the difference" in 3 run loss.  

[drjim]

Paul Molitor is really good at math. "Gallo's 3 run homer was the difference" in 3 run loss.

Can't say Molitor brings nothing to the table.

[Loosey]

 

Can't say Molitor brings nothing to the table.

That is important to know.  When they are trailing by 4 runs, he should start telling the guys to hit Grand Slams.  That would tie the game.  I'm not sure why he has been with holding this knowledge.

[Tibs]

I have not been a fan of how the lineups have been put together lately. Get Mauer out of the 4 hole and up to 1 or 2. Get Kepler out of the 2 hole. Move Rosario up in the order. I would like to see Dozier out of the leadoff spot, but someone has to hit there. Polanco needs to be back in the lineup.

[Taildragger8791]

 

I believe when you are a fringe contender and you sell, effort/result is going to fall off. Could be an ugly 2 months.

 

I don't see how a different closer would have affected last night's outcome. Nor a starting pitcher that woudn't have played and was on the squad for a whole week (during which time they still lost so much it was deemed pointless to keep him).

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I don't see how a different closer would have affected last night's outcome. Nor a starting pitcher that woudn't have played and was on the squad for a whole week (during which time they still lost so much it was deemed pointless to keep him).

It's a little of both (or a lot of both, in this case). The players collapsed by themselves just fine in late July, but a trade for a starter a little but sooner (Garcia?) would have preceded the collapse.

[bluechipper]

I agree that Dozier needs to be out of the leadoff spot. Put either Buxton or Granite up there, or both, and put whichever 4th outfielder who is not in the field at DH. Grossman should only play against lefties at this point.

[Han Joelo]

Yes, it is good to see Molitor embracing advanced analytics, like subtraction.

 

I am disappointed in this team right now, so I'll pile on:  I vigorously defended the FO in the offseason Dozier negotiations, but I am now realizing he is mediocre.  His season statline is a mirror of his career numbers right now.  This team is desperately missing Breslow's clubhouse leadership.

 

I'd put Granite at lead-off.  He may be limited in many ways, but at least he's got moxie.

[drjim]

I don't see how a different closer would have affected last night's outcome. Nor a starting pitcher that woudn't have played and was on the squad for a whole week (during which time they still lost so much it was deemed pointless to keep him).

This is literally true but my general thought is players aren't robots. Selling at the deadline was going to lead to an inevitable deflation throughout the roster and probably coaching staff too.

 

Perhaps the right move to sell, but I would have soft bought, give some incentive for the young guys on the roster to fight through and finish strong and build on that going forward. Instead the season is over and they're going to limp for a while. I don't think the return they got is worth this cost.

 

The team might get a little second life when they call up Garver and perhaps the AA arms, but they aren't exactly elite guys.

[Vanimal46]

 

This is literally true but my general thought is players aren't robots. Selling at the deadline was going to lead to an inevitable deflation throughout the roster and probably coaching staff too.

Perhaps the right move to sell, but I would have soft bought, give some incentive for the young guys on the roster to fight through and finish strong and build on that going forward. Instead the season is over and they're going to limp for a while. I don't think the return they got is worth this cost.

The team might get a little second life when they call up Garver and perhaps the AA arms, but they aren't exactly elite guys.

 

Sure, but that's where leadership comes into play to let the young players know the sky isn't falling... There's plenty of games left to play. Maybe Dozier gets a bad reputation because reporters seemingly only go to him for quotes in the paper. From the fan's perspective, he's leading the way complaining about the team selling, and not playing at a high level. 

[Mike Sixel]

Disappointing to be sure.

 

I hope the leaders on the team figure out how to lead. We clearly have no idea, but it seems to be lacking again/still. 

 

But, it comes down to talent, and they just don't have enough.

[drjim]

Sure, but that's where leadership comes into play to let the young players know the sky isn't falling... There's plenty of games left to play. Maybe Dozier gets a bad reputation because reporters seemingly only go to him for quotes in the paper. From the fan's perspective, he's leading the way complaining about the team selling, and not playing at a high level.

But the sky is falling. It's over. The front office said as much.

[yarnivek1972]

Agreed. They do have to find a way to motivate themselves now that the season is over. Whether that's pumping up their stats, earning their next contract, or securing a role on the team next season.

 

Still not sure the right leadership is in place for the young players to follow.... Specifically Molitor and Dozier who's supposed to be the veteran clubhouse leader.

 

Umm, how is Dozier the veteran clubhouse leader? Pretty sure Mauer has double the MLB experience.

[Taildragger8791]

 

This is literally true but my general thought is players aren't robots. Selling at the deadline was going to lead to an inevitable deflation throughout the roster and probably coaching staff too.

Perhaps the right move to sell, but I would have soft bought, give some incentive for the young guys on the roster to fight through and finish strong and build on that going forward. Instead the season is over and they're going to limp for a while. I don't think the return they got is worth this cost.

The team might get a little second life when they call up Garver and perhaps the AA arms, but they aren't exactly elite guys.

 

They did soft buy when they got Garcia, but the team was already starting to slide by then and started sliding even harder after that. It was clear the team was getting outclassed by actual contenders and we were no longer going to hold on to a weak division.

 

I understand players aren't robots but they had a chance to convince ownership to buy and instead they flopped. They're a young and incomplete team, so that's not unexpected. The run differential is what it is for a reason. But they're also professionals and have to learn how to right themselves and continue to perform even when things aren't going their way.