Article: MIN 10, DET 4: Twins Blow Out Tigers Bullpen

[Tom Froemming]

One moment it looked like the Twins were going to blow a quality start from Ervin Santana, the next moment they were blowing out the Tigers. An eight-run eighth inning turned the tables in this one as the Twins destroyed the Detroit bullpen.Snapshot (chart via Fangraphs)

Download attachment: Snapshot923.png

Brian Dozier led this one off with a “home run” of sorts, but not the type of leadoff homer we’re used to seeing from Dozier. He bunted and circled the bases on a throwing error.

Ervin Santana went 7.0 innings and surrendered three runs on seven hits. He had five strikeouts and didn’t issue a single walk. The Twins struggled to get going against Detroit starter Matthew Boyd, but once he was out of the game they lit up the scoreboard like a pinball machine.

 

The only earned run Boyd gave up was on a Robbie Grossman single in the seventh inning that made it 3-2 Detroit. The eighth got off to a terrible start for the Tigers, as Joe Mauer hit a 103.8 mph line drive that broke Detroit reliever Alex Wilson’s leg. The craziest part was Wilson tried to stay in the game.

 

The Tigers turned to lefty Daniel Stumpf, who gave up a single to Jorge Polanco. Then Eddie Rosario worked a great eight-pitch at-bat that ended with a single, scoring pinch runner Zack Granite from second base to tie the game. Eduardo Escobar continued the hit barrage with another single of his own that put the Twins in the lead.

 

What’s that? I skipped over some stuff?

 

OK, yes, there was more sacrifice bunting ridiculousness. But I’m at the point where I’m getting pretty tired of writing about this stuff, so I’m sure there are some of you who are tired of reading about it. I just wish it would stop.

 

Both Rosario and Escobar showed bunt during their plate appearances. The especially crazy part was that Escobar had the count to his favor 3-1 at one point and was still bunting. He bunted the first pitch foul and strike two was on a missed bunt attempt. Once Escobar (one of the hottest hitters in the American League in the second half) was free to swing away, he delivered the go-ahead hit. Hopefully Molitor learned his lesso … Hopefully Molitor learned his lesso … Hopefully Molitor learned his lesson.

 

Sorry for the broken record, I’ve been meaning to get that looked at.

 

UPDATE: Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press did a great job of sorting out this mess of a game and also included some quotes from Escobar regarding the bunt if you're interested.

 

Anyway, after Molitor had been managing so hard to gain a one-run lead, his team went ahead and absolutely blew the game wide open and ended the inning with a seven-run advantage. Grossman hit a two-run single, Jason Castro hit a run-scoring ground out and Granite hit a three-run homer, the first home run of his major league career.

Max Kepler left the game in the second inning with a left hip injury. Molitor provided reporters with an update after the game, which is available below via Fox Sports North.

 

AL Wild Card Standings

WC1: Yankees 86-68 (+5.5)

WC2: Twins 81-74

Rangers 76-78 (-4.5)

Angels 76-78 (-4.5)

 

Postgame With Molitor

Bullpen Usage

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

Download attachment: Bullpen923.png

Looking Ahead

Sun: Twins (Jose Berrios) at Tigers (Buck Farmer), 11:10 am CT

Mon: Off

Tue: Twins (Bartolo Colon) at Cleveland (Mike Clevinger), 6:10 pm CT

 

Looking Back

MIN 7, DET 3: Gibson, Offense Keep Rolling

MIN 12, DET 1: Once Again, The Twins Bounce Back

NYY 11, MIN 3: Twins Crumble At Yankee Stadium (Again)

 

Click here to view the article

[mikelink45]

Fun game - but I did not realize how far the Tigers have fallen.  Ausmus must be happy to be out after this year.  Their future does not look very promising. 

[Old Twins Cap]

The Central next year will be between the Twins and Cleveland, as Chicago, Detroit and KC go through the convulsions that engulfed the Twins for 6 or 7 years.

 

That should make it easy for the Central to provide two teams again next year to the playoff skirmish.

 

We thought it would be a bit for this Twins' talent to emerge, but, while we sat at our computers and muddled about prospects, they jumped the gun on us.

 

Happily enough.  :}

[SwainZag]

 

Fun game - but I did not realize how far the Tigers have fallen.  Ausmus must be happy to be out after this year.  Their future does not look very promising. 

 

Yep, gotta agree.  At first when I saw they were letting him go I felt bad....then the more I thought about it, I can't imagine why he would wnat to stay.

[wavedog]

Rangers lose - 4.5 game lead for the 2nd wild card!

[gocgo]

And the Twins are now 4.5 ahead of Texas (lost 1-0 to A's), Angels, and the Royals.  Seven to go.  We will be playing the Yankees, and we will be able to set up our rotation to pitch Erv.  I just want to knock off the Yankees one time in there house.  Damn Yankees...why I'd sell my soul to the...oh wait, somebody already wrote that script.

[Old Twins Cap]

Not mentioned, but, first time I seen anything like it in MLB:

 

Pitcher gets whacked by a line drive off Mauer's bat and falls to the ground writhing in pain.  Thought for sure he would need immediate help.  Rolling around on the ground. 

 

Not good.

 

Trainer runs out with the manager.   Pitcher suddenly jumps to his feet and stretches, does some deep breathing.  Whoa!  I thought.

 

'Try to throw the ball', they say.  This is the Tigers, right?  Last place.  On their drive to worst record in MLB --   Last week of the season.

 

'Throw a pitch.  See how you feel."

 

Kid throws one pitch, doubles over again in pain and has to be shouldered off the field.  Fractured leg, non-displaced.

 

For Christ sake, is that how you handle that? 

 

Idiots.

[howeda7]

 

And the Twins are now 4.5 ahead of Texas (lost 1-0 to A's), Angels, and the Royals.  Seven to go.  We will be playing the Yankees, and we will be able to set up our rotation to pitch Erv.  I just want to knock off the Yankees one time in there house.  Damn Yankees...why I'd sell my soul to the...oh wait, somebody already wrote that script.

Don't start making assumptions now. The problem with having 3 teams now tied is it only takes on of them to run off a 7-1 stretch. We need to win tomorrow and take at least one in Cleveland before even thinking about relaxing. 

[ThejacKmp]

Missed the game because drinking. Is Kepler OK? He's been heating up recently, wanna see him keep hitting.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Great call by Molitor in the 8th, to pinch run Granite for Mauer when Mauer advanced to second on Polanco's single. The next batter hit a single to left, which Mauer would not have been waved around on, but Granite was waved around and made it home with time to spare. You don't see it work so perfectly very often!

[ThejacKmp]

Pour it on Twins fans, pour it on . . .

[tvagle]

Once again Boyd proves the trend is real

 

Twins continue to struggle against soft tossers

 

Hope, we don't end up facing CC or Garcia or Tanaka...Severino starts and we get the lead and don't have to worry about Robertson/Chapman until 2018

 

I may have celebrated this win a little too much (missed the post-game because drinking)

[Gold15]

Granite crossed home plate twice in the eighth inning with only one plate appearance. Wonder when the last time a twin did that.

[dbminn]

Thanks for including the Molitor interview. I missed the post-game show.

[Blake]

 

Great call by Molitor in the 8th, to pinch run Granite for Mauer when Mauer advanced to second on Polanco's single. The next batter hit a single to left, which Mauer would not have been waved around on, but Granite was waved around and made it home with time to spare. You don't see it work so perfectly very often!

Concur.

[Linus]

I don't dig all the bunting but it should be noted that Mollie took the bunt off after it was 1-1.

[ThejacKmp]

Man, Cabrera really dogged it on that error. He stood there for a full two seconds before going after the ball. You have to know where the OF are etc. Could've held Dozier to third.

[ThejacKmp]

I'm also very glad to see that Molitor at least pulls off the bunt sign when the count works in the batter's favor. That's a step.

[USAFChief]

Man, Cabrera really dogged it on that error. He stood there for a full two seconds before going after the ball. You have to know where the OF are etc. Could've held Dozier to third.

He was removed for injury after the half inning.

[the blade]

 

Yep, gotta agree.  At first when I saw they were letting him go I felt bad....then the more I thought about it, I can't imagine why he would wnat to stay.

I do believe Ausmus is even on the record as saying the Tiger's need "a new voice" in the clubhouse.  Dick&Burt said Ausmus told reportes he would have declined an extension if it were offered.

[wabene]

Didn't get to watch I too was drinking! This team looks like they got it but we haven't seen them beat the teams they will face in the playoffs. Cleveland will be telling. Good chance for them to prove they can win and gain confidence. Man I want to see em take out the Yanks!

Since I missed it how did Moya look? Aside from the usual quirkiness

[Otto von Ballpark]

I don't dig all the bunting but it should be noted that Mollie took the bunt off after it was 1-1.

  

I'm also very glad to see that Molitor at least pulls off the bunt sign when the count works in the batter's favor. That's a step.

Although also notice that Escobar kept on trying to bunt to "help the team." I think the culture of sac bunting is ingrained, and I want to see Molitor breaking that. It's probably going to take more than calling it off at 1-1 to do it, but it is his job.

[wabene]

So now Molitor not only calls for the bunt too much he has created a culture of bunting. A bunting cult.

[blindeke]

 

So now Molitor not only calls for the bunt too much he has created a culture of bunting. A bunting cult.

 

In his defense, Dozier DID bunt for a home run.

[Old Twins Cap]

And that's from a hitter with 19 HRs. 

 

Sweet Jeebus.

[Otto von Ballpark]

So now Molitor not only calls for the bunt too much he has created a culture of bunting. A bunting cult.

Joke all you want, but players are thinking sacrificing helps the team more than it really does. Who is ultimately responsible for managing that?

[wabene]

Joke all you want, but players are thinking sacrificing helps the team more than it really does. Who is ultimately responsible for managing that?[/quote

Escobar said he wasn't feeling it from that side and made the savvy veteran decision to help the team any way he thought he could. Gamer

[yarnivek1972]

Could almost use this same thread for today's game summary...

[jimmer]

 

Not mentioned, but, first time I seen anything like it in MLB:

 

Pitcher gets whacked by a line drive off Mauer's bat and falls to the ground writhing in pain.  Thought for sure he would need immediate help.  Rolling around on the ground. 

 

Not good.

 

Trainer runs out with the manager.   Pitcher suddenly jumps to his feet and stretches, does some deep breathing.  Whoa!  I thought.

 

'Try to throw the ball', they say.  This is the Tigers, right?  Last place.  On their drive to worst record in MLB --   Last week of the season.

 

'Throw a pitch.  See how you feel."

 

Kid throws one pitch, doubles over again in pain and has to be shouldered off the field.  Fractured leg, non-displaced.

 

For Christ sake, is that how you handle that? 

 

Idiots.

The day before, the pitcher's daughter broke her collarbone.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Escobar said he wasn't feeling it from that side and made the savvy veteran decision to help the team any way he thought he could. Gamer

The savvy veteran decision to fail at bunting and then get a base hit swinging away?