Article: MIN 8, KC 5: Rosario Drives in 4, Hildenberger Holds it Together

[Tom Froemming]

For a moment it appeared the Twins bullpen might falter Friday night against the Royals, but Trevor Hildenberger, some nifty infield defense and key insurance hits from Robbie Grossman and Joe Mauer boosted the Twins to their third straight win. Both the Eds -- Eddie Rosario and Eduardo Escobar -- had big nights, and Byron Buxton amazed once again with his speed and defense.Snapshot (chart via Fangraphs)

Download attachment: Snapshot98.png

The Twins had built an early 5-1 lead but saw that advantage slip. Ervin Santana wasn’t in top form, giving up four runs over five innings, but Hildenberger got this game back on track.

 

Tyler Duffey and Taylor Rogers made a bit of a mess in the seventh inning, combining to give up three straight singles to open that frame. Hildenberger entered with runners on first and second, no outs and the Twins clinging to a one-run lead. He got the first batter he faced to ground into a double play and put Lorenzo Cain away to end the threat.

 

Up 6-5 in the top of the eighth, the Twins got a big RBI triple from Grossman and a run-scoring double from Mauer to open up some breathing room again. Hildenberger stayed in and delivered another scoreless inning in the bottom of the eighth. Matt Belisle pitched a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts to earn his seventh save.

 

Eddie Rosario played a huge role for the Twins in building up their early lead. He ended the night 2-for-4 with his 21st homer of the season, a stolen base and four RBI. Eduardo Escobar also homered, his 16th of the year, and was a triple shy of the cycle. Jorge Polanco drew three walks.

 

Oh, and Byron Buxton did some things. In the third inning, he unsuccessfully tried to bunt his way on. Why was that noteable? Well, per StatCast, his home-to-first base time was the fastest they ever recorded for a right-handed hitter.

Pretty cool, right? Well, so was this:

Buxton was 0-for-5 with three strikeouts at the plate, but who knows what might have happened in this one if he hadn’t reeled in that catch. Fine play in a big spot. That’s what ended Ervin’s night.

 

Standings

At the conclusion of this game, the Twins trailed the Yankees by just 1.5 games for the top wild card and led the Angels by 1.5 game for the second spot. New York lost to Texas Friday and Anaheim was still in progress, but losing to the Mariners.

 

Postgame With Hildenberger

Bullpen Usage

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

Download attachment: Bullpen98.png

Looking Ahead

Sat: Twins (Jose Berrios) at Kansas City (Jake Junis), 6:15 pm CT

Sun: Twins (Bartolo Colon) at Kansas City (Jason Vargas), 1:15 pm CT

Mon: Off

 

Looking Back

MIN 4, KC 2: Comeback Complete

MIN 10, TB 6: Twins Prevail Thanks to Big Error

TB 2, MIN 0: Too Little, Too Late

 

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[bluechipper]

Trevor Hildenberger for MVP. I love watching him pitch, and he should be the guy that comes in whenever there's a tough spot. Hopefully Molitor has finally seen that Taylor Rogers is not a setup guy at this point.

[CampQ]

He also threw only eighteen pitches through two innings! I doubt they use him tomorrow but we should have him for Sunday

[walt-o-meal]

I have 2 comments:

 

I like to watch Byron Buxton catch baseballs.

 

I hereby purchase a beer for Trevor Hildenberger (his choice; I recommend Stone IPA) and and grant him a day off tomorrow*.

 

* days off subject to approval of Twins management

[Don Walcott]

I'm hoping our boys are thinking more about catching the Yankees than holding off the rest of the pack.

 

It was a great run for this Royals team. Let's end it for them.

[DocBauer]

I love prospect rankings from all sources. There is a validity to them for reasons. But how amazing is it that Hildenberger and Busentiz have become top relievers for this won't quit team over several top, albeit injured, much higher ranked prospects.

[ScooterDance]

In addition to the Twins having a really soft schedule to close out the season, a lot of the teams that are chasing us play each other. So the number of teams realistically in the race will dwindle just on account of - only one team can win those games.

 

21 to go, 2 game lead. After losing 103 last year (nevermind the heater we ended the season on - winning 3 of 4!!).

 

Crazy game, this baseballing is.

[Twinfan603]

Not to be negative after a great win, but Duffy has been such a disappointment this year. I know his ER tonight came from Rodger's, but clean outings are few and far between for him. At this point is he even guaranteed a spot on the 2018 roster? I'm not sure.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Split the final two games and KC is cooked.

[Bill Brown69]

Simple, take 6 of the next 8 for 80 wins, sweep the Yanks, 83 wins, and then go 5-5 for 88 wins.

 

Don't know about anyone else but I LOVE the fact that we are most likely to play the Yanks in the playoffs(if we make it) Get that monkey off my back and beat down to the tune of a big time blowout!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Otto von Ballpark]

Don't know about anyone else but I LOVE the fact that we are most likely to play the Yanks in the playoffs(if we make it) Get that monkey off my back and beat down to the tune of a big time blowout!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At the same time, though, elimination at the hands of the Yankees again would sting even more...

[Craig Arko]

At the same time, though, elimination at the hands of the Yankees again would sting even more...

No guts, no glory.

[Darius]

Hildenberger is a freaking stud. He's the only guy in the bullpen who has consistently gotten outs this year. He's the only guy who jogs out if the pen that I trust isn't going implode and give away a game.

 

6 outs while facing 5 batters in a game that big is pretty impressive.

 

Rosario got off the schneid (if you can call it that when he has 10 HR and 28 RBI in his last 30 games). Some fans wanted him DFA'd the day before. He only went in to drive in 4 runs in what was possibly the biggest game of the year.

 

The cherry was picking up a game on NY and LA.

 

Can you imagine this lineup with a hot Sano batting 4? Hopefully we get him back next week.

[Don Walcott]

How about Belisle? I never thought he'd work as a closer. But he came in for the third straight day, struck out two, and got a one-pitch pop-out. I think he's already earned his salary this year.

[mikelink45]

Hildenberger has been great, but when I look at the usage I am concerned.  Don't burn him out.  Curtiss, Turley, Gee, Busenitz, and Tonkin  have to be considered for use soon, what is the use of such a big bullpen otherwise.  Duffey has now given up runs in five straight relief appearances.  http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/33668/tyler-duffey

 

 

[Halsey Hall]

With all the arms in the pen, Duffey and Rogers need to sit a spell.  We'll need them in top form the last week.

[drjim]

With all the arms in the pen, Duffey and Rogers need to sit a spell. We'll need them in top form the last week.

In the past month Duffey hasn't pitched on fewer than 3 days. Nkt sure what more rest will do.

 

Rogers was worked a little heavy the last week, but before that he was getting some decent rest between appearances.

 

They need wins now.

[bluechipper]

Not to be negative after a great win, but Duffy has been such a disappointment this year. I know his ER tonight came from Rodger's, but clean outings are few and far between for him. At this point is he even guaranteed a spot on the 2018 roster? I'm not sure.

Duffey is a lock for next year's roster. Even if he struggles in a setup role, he could transition into a long reliever role.

[jimbo92107]

 

Hildenberger has been great, but when I look at the usage I am concerned.  Don't burn him out.  Curtiss, Turley, Gee, Busenitz, and Tonkin  have to be considered for use soon, what is the use of such a big bullpen otherwise.  Duffey has now given up runs in five straight relief appearances.  http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/33668/tyler-duffey

Duffey could be suffering from some arm fatigue. Lately his stuff seems to be lacking movement, which is his forte. The curves aren't bending quite as sharply, the heater looks a little slower. His command isn't quite as sharp. Bad time for this to happen, but he might need a week off. Same with Rogers, actually. Molitor might need to use Tonkin in high-leverage situations. 

[jimbo92107]

Hildenberger's saving grace is command. The arm action on his change is so good, hitters are waaaay ahead of it on a regular basis. Meanwhile, that curve has enough movement to make it very hard to square up. Add to that his modest low-side heater, which he keeps low in the zone, and his surprise 3/4 heater, which he can throw up to about 94. The combo of all that makes it very difficult for hitters to figure out what's coming next. I even saw him throw a change up from the 3/4 slot, which means you can't load up for the fastball when you see him go high. 

 

Clever approach to pitching, and it doesn't depend on raw velocity. Hildenberger could be a bullpen mainstay for a long time. 

[bighat]

Rogers, Duffey, Boshers, Perkins - not sure you can win a Wild Card spot with three guys like that waiting to give away the game night after night. High praise to the offense for once again busting it open late!

 

Glad the Twins keep finding ways to win! Would love to see J.O.Berrios go deep tonight, I predict 8 innings of 1-run ball. Hand it to Presley for the 9th, or give Perk a shot if we're up by 5 runs or more.

Where's Sano?

[yarnivek1972]

Rogers, Duffey, Boshers, Perkins - not sure you can win a Wild Card spot with three guys like that waiting to give away the game night after night. High praise to the offense for once again busting it open late!

 

Glad the Twins keep finding ways to win! Would love to see J.O.Berrios go deep tonight, I predict 8 innings of 1-run ball. Hand it to Presley for the 9th, or give Perk a shot if we're up by 5 runs or more.

Where's Sano?

Rogers had a rough night but he's been one of the best lefty relievers in MLB this year. He certainly does not deserve to be lumped in with the others you named.

[drivlikejehu]

 

Rogers had a rough night but he's been one of the best lefty relievers in MLB this year. He certainly does not deserve to be lumped in with the others you named.

 

I assume you mean against left-handed hitters? He's definitely not near the top among lefty relievers in general.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

 

At the same time, though, elimination at the hands of the Yankees again would sting even more...

Noooooooooo! Positive thoughts only. These thoughts soar through the air all the way to the  Twins' players' minds. I think I can, I think I can becomes I knew I could, I knew I could..