Article: MIN 3, CIN 1: Losing Streak Snapped as Odorizzi Delivers Quality Start

[Tom Froemming]

The Twins desperately needed a solid performance from their starting pitcher this afternoon, and Jake Odorizzi proved to be the man for the job. He held the Reds to one run over six innings, Eduardo Escobar came up with a huge hit and Mitch Garver homered to lift the Twins to their first win since April 18.Snapshot (chart via FanGraphs)

Download attachment: Snapshot428.png Download attachment: WinEx428.png

Odorizzi wasn’t dominant -- he gave up five hits and two walks while striking out three batters -- but he was efficient and effective. The lone run he surrendered was on a solo homer.

 

Eduardo Escobar, starting at third base today due Miguel Sano being out with a hamstring injury, delivered a huge hit and some nice defense. Escobar hit an RBI double that scored Eddie Rosario to tie the game and he took advantage of a slight miscue by the Cincinnati right fielder to take third base. Robbie Grossman drove him in on a go-ahead sac fly.

Entering today, Twins catchers combined for a .465 OPS, which was the second-lowest mark for a catching unit in all of baseball. Along with calling a good game behind the dish, Garver also belted a solo home run, his second of the season, and a double.

Things got dicey a couple times late, but the bullpen held it together.

 

Odorizzi was on the mound to open the seventh, but gave up a double to the leadoff man. Zach Duke came in and gave up a single to the first batter he faced, giving the Reds runners at the corners and no outs. Duke worked his way out of the jam with a pop out, strikeout and then a fly out to end the threat.

 

Addison Reed took over in the eighth and walked leadoff man Joey Votto. Luckily, the next batter hit into a double play, which was followed by an inning-ending fly out on which Rosario fought the sun to haul in a nice grab.

Fernando Rodney handled the ninth, so you know there were some hairy moments there. He walked the leadoff batter on four pitches and issued a one-out walk, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate. Two pop outs later, one on a nice catch by Brian Dozier, and the Twins had the victory in hand. Losing streak over.

Bullpen Usage

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

Download attachment: Bullpen428.png

Next Three Games

Sun vs. CIN, 1:10 pm CT

Mon vs. TOR, 7:10 pm CT

Tue vs. TOR, 7:10 pm CT

 

Last Three Games

CIN 15, MIN 9: It Got Even Worse

NYY 4, MIN 3: Rodney Spoils Great Gibby Start, Twins Swept

NYY 7, MIN 4: Lance Lynn Is a Dumpster Fire Right Now

 

More From Twins Daily

Twins Minor League Report (4/27): Friday Night Under The Lights

On Ryan Pressly's Release Point, Pitch Mix

 

Click here to view the article

[slash129]

Odorizzi dug down to get through six. I liked that Monitor let him go out for the seventh on a short leash.

 

Duke had a good outing. The hit was a shift beater from Mesoroco.

 

Reed didn't seem to have his best command. He was frustrated with a couple calls. Huge double play assisted by Votto sliding about 15 feet in front of the bag. Wtf?

 

I think Rodney had 9 balls and 4 strikes at one point. It was definitely an outing that makes one understand where "The Experience" comes from.

 

Nice to get a W, but still a long way to go.

[bluechipper]

I hope we see more of a 50/50 split in playing time between Garver and Castro going forward. It would be nice to not have an automatic out from that spot.

[KirbyDome89]

I didn't think I would be this tired of Rodney this early, but yeah, I'm there....

[Nine of twelve]

Huge double play assisted by Votto sliding about 15 feet in front of the bag. Wtf?

Votto assumed Morrison threw to second base without stepping on first base first, so he thought he was out and was sliding to avoid interference.

[Mike Sixel]

Great game. Great write up

[bighat]

Tuned back in around the 7th inning to see Duke had men on 1st and 3rd with nobody out. I just about fainted.

 

In the 9th, Rodney's walks just about had me doubled over in pain. But, just like in his other outings, most of the contact made off Rodney was pretty weak.

 

Staying on Rodney here: aside from the Sanchez and Adam Jones home runs, he really hasn't been getting crushed. More like seeing-eye singles, dribblers, flares, ground balls taking high bounces off the mound, etc.

 

Maybe he's not 100% bad, more like 30% bad and 70% unlucky?

 

I wonder how Garver hits against right-handed pitchers?

 

I feel so relieved right now. A 'W', thank jeebus.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Reminds me of a wonderful song by Etta James: "At Last".

[Brock Beauchamp]

Tuned back in around the 7th inning to see Duke had men on 1st and 3rd with nobody out. I just about fainted.

 

In the 9th, Rodney's walks just about had me doubled over in pain. But, just like in his other outings, most of the contact made off Rodney was pretty weak.

 

Staying on Rodney here: aside from the Sanchez and Adam Jones home runs, he really hasn't been getting crushed. More like seeing-eye singles, dribblers, flares, ground balls taking high bounces off the mound, etc.

 

Maybe he's not 100% bad, more like 30% bad and 70% unlucky?

 

I wonder how Garver hits against right-handed pitchers?

 

I feel so relieved right now. A 'W', thank jeebus.

Yeah. It’s painful to watch Rodney pitch but he’s had some horse**** luck to go along with that pain. Three outings ago, he got the ball he wanted. It bounced off the mound. Two outing ago, Sano makes an errant throw and then a swinging bunt puts two men on base. No excuse for the homer ball to Sanchez but things out of Rodney’s control turned that solo shot into a game-winning shot.

 

His outings have been ugly but not nearly as bad as his line looks thus far.

[jtkoupal]

To begin, I haven't liked the Rodney signing since day 1, and I certainly haven't liked the idea of him pitching in high-leverage situations. That being said, I'm glad we have Reed to pitch earlier in the game, as often times games are saved before the 9th inning, and your best reliever should pitch in the highest leverage situation. 

 

Anyway. I really like what Mitch Garver accomplished today. I haven't loved the fact that he's only been in the lineup against lefties, as a lot of his damage has actually come in the few situations he's faced righties. I think Molitor will expand Garver's role, especially if Castro continues to suck. 

 

I said before last night's game that I think the Twins will win 6 of 10. So far, they are 1-1 in those games, so they need to go 5-3 in the next 8. I think that's doable given the opponents.

 

Have a wonderful night, Twins Territory, and let's go get another W tomorrow!

[rv78]

Wow, Garver has doubled Castro's production of 1 HR and 1 RBI. He's got 2 HR and 2 RBI's. When you consider how many games we are into the season already, that is really sad. Only 3 runs accounted for from 1 spot in your lineup. 

[Huddy]

 

Wow, Garver has doubled Castro's production of 1 HR and 1 RBI. He's got 2 HR and 2 RBI's. When you consider how many games we are into the season already, that is really sad. Only 3 runs accounted for from 1 spot in your lineup. 

I have full confidence that Garver if given playing time would be an above average Offensive C.. It's just a matter of defense at this point.

[jtkoupal]

 

Wow, Garver has doubled Castro's production of 1 HR and 1 RBI. He's got 2 HR and 2 RBI's. When you consider how many games we are into the season already, that is really sad. Only 3 runs accounted for from 1 spot in your lineup. 

Most of Garver's games have been low-scoring games, so maybe he isn't a bad game caller.  His defense, though, still has lots of room for improvement. (If you need evidence, go back and watch the 2nd game of the Yankee series. Actually, don't do that to yourself)

 

I think Molitor will get him into the lineup against righties more often with time. Even if he doesn't catch, I see no reason why we can't use him as an alternative to Grossman in RF or maybe at DH/1B here and there. If he can hit even at a decent level, there will be a spot for him in the lineup a lot of days.

[h2oface]

Rodney = suffering

[PopRiveter]

Rodney improved to 3-for-6 on save opportunities with this tight rope walk.

Ugh.

He’s exactly who I was afraid he is.

[mikelink45]

Unfortunately our celebration and winning has to be balanced with the fact that we were playing the Cincinnati Reds.  If I am not mistaken they are considered at or near the bottom of the league.  Still I hope that we can garner a little momentum and start to turn this season around.  

 

I like Escobar at 3B, I still want Gordon to try SS, and I want the best fielding CF we have in the minors to fill in for Buxton.  DEFENSE!