Article: MIN 5, MIL 4: Rosario Scores Go-Ahead Run on Balk, Polanco Collects 4 Hits

[Danchat]

 

Stumbled across a couple more interesting tidbits.

 

This win improves the Twins record in one-run games to 13-8, which is the fifth-best in baseball. Also, per Baseball-Reference, the Twins have attempted the second-most sacrifice bunts in the AL (33). They have the worst sac bunt success rate in all of baseball at 42 percent (league average is 64 percent).

Thanks for this stat. This is why many of us are infuriated by Molitor's penchant for bunting - we have a lot of players on this club who are terrible bunters but he still insists on bunting constantly.

[Dman]

 

I thought it just as likely that Eddie could have just stolen home in the time it takes the pitcher to react, stop off the rubber and throw home.   Am I right in thinking he couldn't just throw home from the rubber without some kind of pitching motion?  Either way, how can you possibly concentrate on the sign and the pitch when a guy is faking a dash for home and is already over halfway there?

 

I totally agree.  There is no one at third to throw too.  I would have to look again but he was already over half way to home.  Granted he was bluffing but it was a good bluff.  I honestly think given the shift he could have stolen home with the pitcher looking right at him.  He just needed to time it right.  

 

I really don't blame the pitcher I would have been nervous the way Eddie was running around as well.  If they cover third he can't take that kind of lead.  If the other team didn't think he would take off for home at some point they don't know Rosario.  They might have nabbed him trying to steal home but I wouldn't bank on it.  I think the Brewers should have been smarter there and they might have pulled the game out in the end.

[ashbury]

"He’s opened August with a five-game hitting streak after going 4-for-51 (.078) in July."

 

I mean.....that's almost unbelievable. 

"Four hits in fifty or so PA? Yeah, I can believe that."

 

 

[jimbo92107]

This is why I love watching Eddie Rosario. Who else on this team has the stuff to pull off that gambit, starting with a rocket line drive over the RF's head? Only Rosario. Mauer might drive a double, but he wouldn't induce a balk. Neither would Kepler. Polanco can't hit the ball that hard. The only guy that's got the physical talent, the baseball savvy, plus the cajones gigantes to pull off that stunt is Eddie Rosario. 

[cmoss84]

I doubt there are any contenders out there who would have any interest at all in Belisle as closer. He might be a general pen addition for someone, though, likely in exchange for "cash considerations" (like Neal Cotts a couple years back).

Sorry, should have phrased that differently. If he shows he can be good/trustworthy late in games, another team may want to add him as a bullpen piece.

[MN_ExPat]

Pretty much.   That was straight out of little league/Rec ball. 

[cmoss84]

I totally agree.  There is no one at third to throw too.  I would have to look again but he was already over half way to home.  Granted he was bluffing but it was a good kmbluff.  I honestly think given the shift he could have stolen home with the pitcher looking right at him.  He just needed to time it right.  

 

I really don't blame the pitcher I would have been nervous the way Eddie was running around as well.  If they cover third he can't take that kind of lead.  If the other team didn't think he would take off for home at some point they don't know Rosario.  They might have nabbed him trying to steal home but I wouldn't bank on it.  I think the Brewers should have been smarter there and they might have pulled the game out in the end.

Definitely a tough spot to be in as a pitcher. He probably should have stepped off the rubber and talked to his infield and catcher...but I guess sometimes you just decide to roll with your coaches decision.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

Stumbled across a couple more interesting tidbits.

 

This win improves the Twins record in one-run games to 13-8, which is the fifth-best in baseball. Also, per Baseball-Reference, the Twins have attempted the second-most sacrifice bunts in the AL (33). They have the worst sac bunt success rate in all of baseball at 42 percent (league average is 64 percent).

This doesn't even get to how many strikes are wasted with foul bunts or the plate appearances that end in a different result after the sac bunt attempt is cancelled. 

[spinowner]

 

I think this is a good example why the truly advanced teams have begun moving away from shifting all day, every day.

The shift would have been acceptable maybe in the second inning, or with a 3-run lead, but not in the bottom of the 7th in a tie game.

[spinowner]

 

From the stretch he'd have to step off the rubber before firing home. I'm 99% sure, maybe an ump (Spinowner) could pipe up to confirm.

I'm not an ump, and I don't know the answer for sure, but I think if he throws home he wouldn't have to step off because he's delivering a pitch. Throwing to another base, yes.

 

 

[spinowner]

 

Yeah, I put this more on the pitcher than the shift, or even credit to Rosario.

He's not stealing home if the pitcher is in the stretch.

I give the credit to Rosario because he timed his move perfectly. Drake had just engaged the rubber but not gone into his stretch. Make the move any sooner and it's not a balk. Wait till Drake is in the stretch and he's more likely to maintain his composure. He caught Drake when he was not quite in control and that made the difference. Rosario was channeling Molitor. It was truly a savvy play.

Edited August 8, 2017 by spinowner

[AlwaysinModeration]

He could pitch home as long as he comes set. Potential to balk if he just tries to throw home quickly, in addition to the balk he committed.

 

Agree that it was a savvy play by Rosario. He knew exactly what he was doing and called the balk at the same time as the ump.

 

Such an interesting play. Could he have scored on a straight steal? Would they have played the 3B closer of Buxton is on third?

[Dantes929]

 

I don't believe I've ever seen someone with a clean steal of home with the pitcher looking directly at and focusing on the runner, and pitching out of the stretch?  Someone else correct me if I'm wrong?  I don't think he could have made it cleanly. Even if he's half way down the line, a perfect sprint to home would be about 2-2.5 seconds, based on 28 feet/second sprint speed plus acceleration.  A delivery to home out of the stretch takes about 1-1.5 seconds?  Any decent throw and he'd be toast.

I get your timing but I think it leaves a few time windows.    I don't think he can just fire it home so if Eddie times it well he is off and running before the pitcher even starts the delivery or can start to step off the rubber.   Catcher also needs to catch it and and apply the tag.    I don't think he can jump out before the ball crosses the plate.    Probably not a sure thing but I think the odds were pretty good.

[Dantes929]

 

I'm not an ump, and I don't know the answer for sure, but I think if he throws home he wouldn't have to step off because he's delivering a pitch. Throwing to another base, yes.

I think you are right but all the rules of throwing a pitch apply.   He has to come to a set position and I think there is some kind of rule about the delivery being a natural pitching delivery but the nuance is vague.   His best bet would be to step off the rubber and throw but that takes some presence of mind when also thinking about making a good pitch.

[USAFChief]

I give the credit to Rosario because he timed his move perfectly. Drake had just engaged the rubber but not gone into his stretch. Make the move any sooner and it's not a balk. Wait till Drake is in the stretch and he's more likely to maintain his composure. He caught Drake when he was not quite in control and that made the difference. Rosario was channeling Molitor. It was truly a savvy play.

Interesting. Perhaps you're right.

[yarnivek1972]

I think you are right but all the rules of throwing a pitch apply. He has to come to a set position and I think there is some kind of rule about the delivery being a natural pitching delivery but the nuance is vague. His best bet would be to step off the rubber and throw but that takes some presence of mind when also thinking about making a good pitch.

Of course, if the pitcher stays on the rubber and throws an actual pitch, the batter has every right to swing at it. If he thinks the runner will be out, he would probably try to foul it off (ideally toward first).

[spinowner]

 

Of course, if the pitcher stays on the rubber and throws an actual pitch, the batter has every right to swing at it. If he thinks the runner will be out, he would probably try to foul it off (ideally toward first).

Ideally he'd try to bunt it, however in this situation there were two outs so that wouldn't apply.