Article: SEA 1, MIN 0: Twins Get LeBlanc’ed

[Tom Froemming]

Mother Nature tried her best. Back on April 8, the Twins-Mariners game was postponed due to weather. That contest was rescheduled for tonight, but rain delayed the start by over an hour.

 

The Twins should have taken the hint.

 

When the game finally got underway, a flat Twins team failed to mount anything resembling an offense and lost 1-0 thanks to a defensive miscue.Snapshot (chart via FanGraphs)

Download attachment: Snapshot514.png Download attachment: WinEx514.png

The Twins made Wade LeBlanc look like Sandy Koufax. He pitched six scoreless innings and only gave up three hits. The Twins hit only two balls in excess of 100 mph off LeBlanc. In comparison, the Mariners had six such hits off Jake Odorizzi.

 

Odorizzi still pitched a great game himself, striking out seven batters over six shutout innings. Matt Magill pitched a 1-2-3 seventh before things got way too interesting in the eighth.

 

Dee Gordon hit a double off the wall to open things up against Trevor Hidenberger. The next batter laid down a bunt. Logan Morrsion airmailed the throw into right field, allowing Gordon to score the go-ahead run. Also that inning, Max Kepler whiffed on a line drive that he lost in the lights, but luckily just the one run scored that inning.

The Twins didn’t even get a runner to second base until Mitch Garver hit a double in the seventh inning. The only other Twins hits were singles from Joe Mauer, Morrison and Ehire Adrianza and the team failed to draw a single walk.

 

Robbie Grossman was ejected for arguing balls and strikes while he was in the Twins dugout. Phil Hughes pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

 

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: Bullpen514.png

Next Three Games

Tue vs. STL, 7:10 pm CT

Wed vs. STL, 12:10 pm CT

Thu OFF

Fri vs. MIL, 7:10 pm CT

 

Last Three Games

LAA 2, MIN 1: Ohtani Excellent as Angels Walk Off Twins

MIN 5, LAA 3: Twins Outlast Angels in Gutsy Victory

MIN 5, LAA 4: Rally Rosie

 

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[wsnydes]

I would argue that the Twins bats did take the hint. 

[bighat]

The Twins have scored 3 runs over the past 27 innings. Hard to win when you don't hit. Escobar and now Rosario have gone a bit cold and nobody else seems to be able to hit a baseball. The news on Sano is depressing. We're going to have Wilson and Adrianza's bats playing in a lot of games over the next month or two.

 

On a positive note, I LOL'ed at today's headline...too funny.

[slash129]

Weak pop flies off of wet bats into heavy damp air was the story of that snoozer. Watching the grounds crew prepare the field was more entertaining.

[Tommygun921]

Morrison looked like one of those guys that has no clue what's going on but runs and jumps in front of you when you have everything under control....only to make a mess of everything and now make everyone's jobs harder when he was trying to help out.

[jtkoupal]

 

Morrison looked like one of those guys that has no clue what's going on but runs and jumps in front of you when you have everything under control....only to make a mess of everything and now make everyone's jobs harder when he was trying to help out.

 

Morrison has been heating up, but the lack of power is concerning. He's only slugging .336 with only 9 XBH in 136 Plate Appearances. The OBP of .294 is probably more concerning.

 

Worth Noting: Morrison has been far less patient than in past years. He has swung at 49.8% of pitches, far more than his career clip of 44%. He has swung at 28.3% of pitches outside the zone, compared to 26.9% in his career. Most staggering, though, is that he has swung at 78.8% of pitches in the strike zone, WAY higher than his career mark of 66.8%. 

 

I can't say I understand why this is happening, but it's certainly worth noting.

[Doctor Wu]

A shame about that errant Morrison throw, but at least Odirizzi pitched well and struck out a few batters.

[USAFChief]

 

Morrison has been heating up, but the lack of power is concerning. He's only slugging .336 with only 9 XBH in 136 Plate Appearances. The OBP of .294 is probably more concerning.

 

Worth Noting: Morrison has been far less patient than in past years. He has swung at 49.8% of pitches, far more than his career clip of 44%. He has swung at 28.3% of pitches outside the zone, compared to 26.9% in his career. Most staggering, though, is that he has swung at 78.8% of pitches in the strike zone, WAY higher than his career mark of 66.8%. 

 

I can't say I understand why this is happening, but it's certainly worth noting.

Morrison got off to a terrible start, but since May 1st: .279/.367/.488

 

Even his OBP of .294 for the year is a little misleading, as it's his batting average that is driving that number. 

[Number3]

6 of the position players last night hitting under .250 so was this great pitching by Seattle or simply a weak Twins lineup? Mauer's .300 plus now way in the rear view mirror. 1 run in 2 games with a Cardinals team in town not happy about being swept in their place and would love to return the favor. Berrios needs to step it up tonight and the offense better wake up and that includes Buxton who can play the headache only so far. He is starting to be a headache. They better at least split these 2 against the Cards or here we go again.

[Han Joelo]

No offense to anyone in particular, but I sure hope the team isn't prone to getting that "here we go again" attitude after every losing streak, lost game, bad at bat,  errant throw, sure homer that goes foul, line drive that gets caught, strike on the edge that doesn't get called, or baserunner that gets tackled and tagged out.  Baseball is a tough game that requires tough minds.

 

Go get 'em tonight, gentlemen.  Can't wait for when Buxton get's his bat going and starts gliding around the bases more.  Every night could be that night.

[ThejacKmp]

 

6 of the position players last night hitting under .250 so was this great pitching by Seattle or simply a weak Twins lineup? Mauer's .300 plus now way in the rear view mirror. 1 run in 2 games with a Cardinals team in town not happy about being swept in their place and would love to return the favor. Berrios needs to step it up tonight and the offense better wake up and that includes Buxton who can play the headache only so far. He is starting to be a headache. They better at least split these 2 against the Cards or here we go again.

 

Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

 

Mauer's OBP is .413. He's doing okay.

[blindeke]

If Mauer plays in the field and Morrison is the DH, that doesn't happen, yes?

[Shaitan]

I haven't seen Morrison much, but from what I've read he's a below average 1B, right?

 

It's hard to complain about losing a 1-0 game with zero earned runs scored. These things happen. Though I'd rather see hits, of course.

[USAFChief]

 

I haven't seen Morrison much, but from what I've read he's a below average 1B, right?

 

It's hard to complain about losing a 1-0 game with zero earned runs scored. These things happen. Though I'd rather see hits, of course.

He's actually looked pretty good, IMO. Smalley likes his D according to last night's broadcast.

[puckstopper1]

How unlucky are the Twins hitters that they continually face the reincarnation of Cy Young game after game after game...

[Nine of twelve]

Weak pop flies off of wet bats into heavy damp air was the story of that snoozer. Watching the grounds crew prepare the field was more entertaining.

Humid air is less dense than dry air. However, if there is fog or drizzle the water droplets slow the ball somewhat.

[Mike Sixel]

Wade and Gordon should be up here, imo.

 

They really miss Sano and Polanco on offense. A lot.

[Nine of twelve]

I haven't seen Morrison much, but from what I've read he's a below average 1B, right?

 

It's hard to complain about losing a 1-0 game with zero earned runs scored. These things happen. Though I'd rather see hits, of course.

The run Seattle scored was an earned run. That is because the ball Kepler dropped was ruled a hit and the run would have scored on that play regardless of Morrison's error.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Morrison got off to a terrible start, but since May 1st: .279/.367/.488

 

Even his OBP of .294 for the year is a little misleading, as it's his batting average that is driving that number.

 

That's a nice sign, but not that remarkable in itself. It would put him about 59th out of 189 qualifiers in that time. But, I hope it continues.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Morrison also failed to make a defensive play in the Yankees series, that led to a loss. Mauer is much, much better in the field. Morrison needs to DH. I am cautiously optimistic for his bat to heat up. But if Morrison can't "get in the game" as a DH then the FO needs to deal with it somehow.

[Mike Sixel]

That's a nice sign, but not that remarkable in itself. It would put him about 59th out of 189 qualifiers in that time. But, I hope it continues.

Top one third of all players isn't good enough? How high are your expectations?

[slash129]

 

Wade and Gordon should be up here, imo.

They really miss Sano and Polanco on offense. A lot.

That's two 40 moves, two burnt options and two clocks a tickin'. 

 

I think Wade's approach will translate, and he should be a significant defensive upgrade over Grossman. However, if that was going to be the move, it should have been done when Buxton went on the DL.  Now he's not going to play every day. Is that worth the 40-move, option and clock start?

 

How much is BABIP Gordon going to move the needle at the MLB level against MLB defenses? I don't think he runs like his brother, so he could just be the AA version of 2014 Danny Santana. Is he going to make that play that Adrianza made last night to keep the game at 0-0 at the time?

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Top one third of all players isn't good enough? How high are your expectations?

Over a two week stretch it's not very meaningful. I'd like to see it continue.

[Mike Sixel]

That's two 40 moves, two burnt options and two clocks a tickin'.

 

I think Wade's approach will translate, and he should be a significant defensive upgrade over Grossman. However, if that was going to be the move, it should have been done when Buxton went on the DL. Now he's not going to play every day. Is that worth the 40-move, option and clock start?

 

How much is BABIP Gordon going to move the needle at the MLB level against MLB defenses? I don't think he runs like his brother, so he could just be the AA version of 2014 Danny Santana. Is he going to make that play that Adrianza made last night to keep the game at 0-0 at the time?

Wade is 25.... And you are worried about options and service time? We probably don't agree on that. He certainly plays better defense than Grossman, and he hits better than Buxton, and maybe Grossman. Despite what people say, Grossman plays a lot. A and he's replacement level....

 

Gordon? I just think he's going to be better than what they have. I understand the doubters. I don't agree with them.

 

And, forty man? They don't need everyone on that list now, as we see from history when they turn over the list every year.

[Mike Sixel]

Over a two week stretch it's not very meaningful. I'd like to see it continue.

Agreed, but that's not what i thought you said, must have read it wrong. I'd be thrilled if he's one of the top third of players in the game.

[bobs]

Terrific effort from Odorizzi.  Bad approach/game plan from Twins hitters.

[USAFChief]

 

Morrison also failed to make a defensive play in the Yankees series, that led to a loss. Mauer is much, much better in the field. Morrison needs to DH. I am cautiously optimistic for his bat to heat up. But if Morrison can't "get in the game" as a DH then the FO needs to deal with it somehow.

i doubt Morrison playing first is about Morrison.

[Mr. Brooks]

Agreed, but that's not what i thought you said, must have read it wrong. I'd be thrilled if he's one of the top third of players in the game.

Many of those 189 players also provide value at defense or baserunning though.

Not that I can't live with those numbers from Morrison, but top third in offense is probably the minimum bar for a player with no other value.

[Mike Sixel]

Many of those 189 players also provide value at defense or baserunning though.

Not that I can't live with those numbers from Morrison, but top third in offense is probably the minimum bar for a player with no other value.

I'm not sure, I haven't thought about that. But they certainly aren't promoting any better options soon, even if they are there....

[ThejacKmp]

 

If Mauer plays in the field and Morrison is the DH, that doesn't happen, yes?

 

 

I haven't seen Morrison much, but from what I've read he's a below average 1B, right?

 

It's hard to complain about losing a 1-0 game with zero earned runs scored. These things happen. Though I'd rather see hits, of course.

 

With Chief on this one. He looked pretty good last night. Made several nice scoops, had nice range on ground balls.

 

That throw was terrible though but Ozzie Smith made errors too. I like to think Mauer wouldn't have done the same but who knows. I want Mauer to be effective in August and September and getting him some days off makes sense. I've noticed the Twins flipping Morrison and Mauer on days after Joe makes a lot of diving plays. I wonder if they're trying to manage his soreness.