Article: MIN 2, CHW 1: Walking Away With a Win

[Andrew Thares]

Hits with runners in scoring position, who need them? The Twins and White Sox combined to go 0-for-24 with runners in scoring position in today’s game. The three lone runs in this 13-inning affair came on a solo homer and two bases loaded walks. In the end, the Twins came away with the 2-1 victory in game that could be considered on of the most exciting and least exciting games of the season all wrapped up into one.Snapshot (chart via FanGraphs)

Jake Odorizzi: 72 Game Score, 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 8 K, 3 BB, 63.4% strikes

Bullpen: 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 8 K, 2 BB

Lineup: 0-for-9 w/RISP, 13 LOB

Top three per WPA: Kepler .422, Odorizzi .359, Busenitz .341

Download attachment: WinEx628.png

 

Jake Odorizzi had himself a bounce-back start today against the White Sox throwing six shutout innings. Odorizzi was on fire to start the game, having struck out seven batters in the first three innings. The only batter to reach base up to that point came on leadoff single by Tim Anderson in the third, but Odorizzi responded by striking out the next three batters.

 

Odorizzi continued to breeze through the fourth and fifth innings before he worked himself into a jam in the sixth. After loading the bases with two outs in the inning, Odorizzi faced off against Kevin Smith in a 14 pitch at-bat before Smith finally flew out to Taylor Motter to end the inning.

 

The Twins had a golden opportunity to scratch off a run in the first after Lucas Giolito walked the bases full and was down 3-0 to Ehire Adrianza with two outs. However, Giolito was able to work back and get Adrianza to pop up to end the innings.

 

Giolito went on to retire 15 of the next 16 Twins hitters, including 13 in a row, before the Twins were finally able to get on the board on a leadoff home run from Logan Morrison in the seventh.

 

 

The bottom of the order then went on to load the bases with just one out, but that threat was neutralized when Robbie Grossman lined into an inning ending double play.

 

In the 9th, Fernando Rodney came in to close out a 1-0 win, and it was seemingly going as planned after he set down the first two batters to start the inning. Then, Yolmer Sanchez dinked a single into left and the wheels fell off. Rodney proceeded to hit the next batter before walking in the next two. He finally got out of the mess by striking out Yoan Moncada, but not before blowing his first save since April 26th.

 

The Twins had a chance to take the lead in the 10th when they had runners on the corners and just one out, and Eddie Rosario due up. However, it wasn’t meant to be, as Rosario popped out, then Escobar was intentionally walked to get to Brian Dozier who then struck out to end the inning.

 

There wasn’t a lot of drama over the next few innings, and the top of the 13th appeared to be going that way as well, but then with two outs Logan Morrison got a double off former Twin Hector Santaigo. Santaigo then walked the next three batters, bringing in Morrison for what would be the game-winning run.

 

Postgame With Molitor

 

AL Central Standings

CLE 44-35

MIN 35-42 (-8)

DET 36-46 (-9.5)

CWS 28-52 (-16.5)

KC 25-55 (-19.5)

 

Bullpen Usage

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

Download attachment: Bullpen628.png

 

Next Three Games

Fri at CHC, 4:05 pm pm CT: Jose Berrios vs. Mike Montgomery

Sat at CHC, 1:20 pm CT: Adalberto Mejia vs. Tyler Chatwood

Sun at CHC, 1:20 pm CT: Lance Lynn vs. Jon Lester

 

Last Three Games

CWS 6, MIN 1: Gibby Gets Got

CHW 8, MIN 4: South Side Slip

MIN 2, TEX 0: La MaKKKKKKKKKKKKina

 

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[Kelly Vance]

LoMo found his contact lenses

 

[Danchat]

Well, it was nice to see Odorizzi rebound from his last outing and go 6 scoreless. I do think he can be a #4 starter but his past 5 starts had been bad, so maybe he's rebounding? It was against a White Sox lineup that hit very well the past two games. 

 

Can we be done with Bobby Wilson as the backup catcher now? Our AAA team has 4 catchers (if you're counting Astudillo as one), can we at least try someone else?

 

We need a starter for tomorrow, so hopefully we can see Belisle DFA'd to get Slegers up... Mejia is only on 3 days rest, so I don't think he'll start tomorrow's game.

 

Good to see Busenitz get the win and the save, hopefully he can get comfortable facing MLB pitching and stick on the roster. Though I've probably jinxed him and now he's getting shipped to AAA, isn't he?

[BJames]

I see we signed another week hit catcher for AAA.  The front office seem determined to fill the bench and AAA with player that hit under the Mendoza line. 

[MangLitch]

Well, it was nice to see Odorizzi rebound from his last outing and go 6 scoreless. I do think he can be a #4 starter but his past 5 starts had been bad, so maybe he's rebounding? It was against a White Sox lineup that hit very well the past two games.

 

Can we be done with Bobby Wilson as the backup catcher now? Our AAA team has 4 catchers (if you're counting Astudillo as one), can we at least try someone else?

 

We need a starter for tomorrow, so hopefully we can see Belisle DFA'd to get Slegers up... Mejia is only on 3 days rest, so I don't think he'll start tomorrow's game.

 

Good to see Busenitz get the win and the save, hopefully he can get comfortable facing MLB pitching and stick on the roster. Though I've probably jinxed him and now he's getting shipped to AAA, isn't he?

 

Berrios will pitch tomorrow, being he went Sunday. So unfortunately we don’t have to dfa anyone.....

 

I second the catcher comment. I’ve seen enough to think someone else could bring his value at worse.

 

Lastly, I wasn’t shocked by the score. This lineup was lucky the pitching staff showed up. 6 guys in the lineup hitting .230 or worse... and often much worse. Woof

[jtkoupal]

This win shows me nothing. There is nothing to read into here other than we salvaged a game on the road against a bad, bad team. 

 

The Twins get to go to Wrigley Field & Miller Park next. Maybe we will see the team that has showed up against good teams this time!

 

The Twins, with a 7% chance at a playoff spot and 5% chance to win the AL Central, have to squeak out 4 of these 6 to keep any hope alive, barring a collapse by Cleveland in the next week.

 

Maybe I'm holding out hope, but there is always a chance!

[jtkoupal]

Really, though. The Twins need to take better at bats if they hope to accomplish anything. Making Lucas Giolito, whom entered play with an ERA in excess of 7, look like Cy Young is not the path to any success whatsoever, regardless of the outcome of the game.

 

This offense won't let the Twins compete. Too many under-performances. However, hot streaks from Morrison, Dozier, Mauer, and Polanco would go a long way to a resurrection, and it may not be as farfetched as you might think.

 

Unfortunately, anything good that might happen is likely to be too little, too late.

[Mike Sixel]

Golly that intentional walk was stupid. Amazingly, fire the manager now, stupid.

[Tom Froemming]

Hopefully this is a turning point for Max Kepler. Molly went with Cave and Motter in the starting lineup but Max came off the bench to go 2-for-3 with a walk that brought home the game-winning run. He fell behind 1-2 in that plate appearance but refused to expand the zone.

 

If he gets hot like he was in April ... that would be ... a welcome sight? Sorry, just trying out this whole positivity thing for the first time in awhile, I think I fell a bit short at the end there. It'll come back to me, just gonna take a few reps.

[D.C Twins]

I give this game a slow---golf----clap....

 

Good Lord....how many more times must we endure Grossman in the lead off position?!

 

If the FO does not want to release their "Designated Something (TBD)" then please do not embarass the team right out of the gate with him batting lead off....

 

Advanced Metrics are great, but you still need to be able to see the forest through the trees

[lukeduke1980]

Watch this team win 4 of 6 now.

[Darius]

Is this where we start hearing again about how we're still in this thing and how stupid it would be to sell at the deadline?

[Andrew Thares]

 

Good to see Busenitz get the win and the save, hopefully he can get comfortable facing MLB pitching and stick on the roster. Though I've probably jinxed him and now he's getting shipped to AAA, isn't he?

You can't get credit for both the win and the save. Busenitz got credited with the win and nobody gets credit for the save.

[jun]

 

I see we signed another week hit catcher for AAA.  The front office seem determined to fill the bench and AAA with player that hit under the Mendoza line. 

I think Rupp would be gone soon and Astudillo would be promoted to the major soon to take Wilson's spot. Sawyer is also hitting well and could be promoted.

[Danchat]

 

You can't get credit for both the win and the save. Busenitz got credited with the win and nobody gets credit for the save.

Really? Oh... well that's dumb. I always thought you could. He defended a 1 run lead to win the game, that should be a save, but I guess that's not how it works.

[howeda7]

When is the last time a Twins catcher started a day game after a night game? Was Garver hurt? Running Wilson out there day after day is so ridiculous. Continuing to put out line-ups with Wilson, Grossman, etc. in the lineup when there are better alternatives is like a giant middle finger to the fans who have to watch this offense. 

[bighat]

 

Really? Oh... well that's dumb. I always thought you could. He defended a 1 run lead to win the game, that should be a save, but I guess that's not how it works.

 

Here's the definition: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Save_(baseball)

[Number3]

Now watch them win the Cubs series which would be true to form lately. It is hard to believe that basically the same team that was at the top in home runs last year and had several huge offensive games now can't seem to score a run. It is a shame that in today's game once playoffs are apparently out of sight (with the season less than half over) teams quit trying to win as many games as they can and start talking about trading their best players and looking ahead to future years. I hope the Twins don't do that because they have yet to field the team that finished last year. I think they should try to finish the season out with their A team on the field (that means, Sano, Buxton and Polanco) and see what happens.

[mikelink45]

It is getting harder to write comments on this team.  A 13 inning win and it felt like a loss.  We make a starting pitcher with a 7 ERA look like a star and we have to depend upon an Ex-Twin to walk in our runs.   Maybe we can develop that as a new strategy, spread our ex-twin pitchers around the league and hope they come in to fact us and give us a chance to win. 

Taylor Motter starts!  Think about that.  He is 0 - 14.  He is a scrub, he has no future, no potential and he starts.  This is not about resting Kepler, this is about a stupid bench.  Better to have 38 year old, 12 era, Belisle than a good bat on the bench?  

 

The White Sox pitching ranks with a higher ERA than the Twins and Tigers, but we cannot get hits off them.  The White Sox are one of three teams with 50 or more losses and we struggle to win one game and that on a fluke ending.  

 

We have a starting lineup today with Taylor Motter, Grossman, Adrianza, Morrison, Cave, and Wilson in the lineup and that is the lineup that finally wins a game.  Give me a break.  Why should the casual fan have any interest in the team?   Where is the story line?  I know - Polanco is coming back.  We have been waiting half a season so that can be our big headline.

Dozier has not only fallen from the leadoff position, he has fallen to a point where they will walk the player ahead of him so they can pitch to him (and it worked - he struck out).  

 

Come on Falvey look up from your stats and see what is on the field and measure the interest that your team is generating.  This is your time - no Basketball or Hockey playoffs, no NFL and you are quickly making Soccer the most popular sport. 

 

To quote your promotions - This is how we Baseball.- if so you better change it.

[Cap'n Piranha]

I’m not sure why Magill didn’t go yesterday—seems like he would’ve been a good option to soak up some innings to protect the pen.

[terrydactyls]

I see we signed another week hit catcher for AAA.  The front office seem determined to fill the bench and AAA with player that hit under the Mendoza line.

 

i would be happy with a catcher that hit for a "week." Or did you mean a "weak" hit catcher? Big difference.

[terrydactyls]

I wish people would quit using Adrianza as an example of a poor Twins team. Before the season began, I would bet everyone would have been very happy if Adrianza were hitting over .260 and playing good defense. Only Rosario, Escobar, and Lamarr have higher averages. He is definitely NOT the reason this season is going down the toilet.

[Vanimal46]

It is getting harder to write comments on this team. A 13 inning win and it felt like a loss. We make a starting pitcher with a 7 ERA look like a star and we have to depend upon an Ex-Twin to walk in our runs. Maybe we can develop that as a new strategy, spread our ex-twin pitchers around the league and hope they come in to fact us and give us a chance to win.

Taylor Motter starts! Think about that. He is 0 - 14. He is a scrub, he has no future, no potential and he starts. This is not about resting Kepler, this is about a stupid bench. Better to have 38 year old, 12 era, Belisle than a good bat on the bench?

 

The White Sox pitching ranks with a higher ERA than the Twins and Tigers, but we cannot get hits off them. The White Sox are one of three teams with 50 or more losses and we struggle to win one game and that on a fluke ending.

 

We have a starting lineup today with Taylor Motter, Grossman, Adrianza, Morrison, Cave, and Wilson in the lineup and that is the lineup that finally wins a game. Give me a break. Why should the casual fan have any interest in the team? Where is the story line? I know - Polanco is coming back. We have been waiting half a season so that can be our big headline.

Dozier has not only fallen from the leadoff position, he has fallen to a point where they will walk the player ahead of him so they can pitch to him (and it worked - he struck out).

 

Come on Falvey look up from your stats and see what is on the field and measure the interest that your team is generating. This is your time - no Basketball or Hockey playoffs, no NFL and you are quickly making Soccer the most popular sport.

 

To quote your promotions - This is how we Baseball.- if so you better change it.

It's not even casual fans that are bored... Diehards like us are bored too. I really don't want to know who Wilson, Motter, Cave, and Petit are. They don't generate any interest for the team.

[mikelink45]

 

It's not even casual fans that are bored... Diehards like us are bored too. I really don't want to know who Wilson, Motter, Cave, and Petit are. They don't generate any interest for the team.

Where is the FO?  They have okayed the moves that are driving us all crazy.  Where is their creativity?  Molitor gets blame, but he did not seek out LaMarre, Belisle, Cave, Motter and others who are driving us crazy.  I do not know if Molitor is a good manager, because I cannot imagine any manager working with this group and succeeding. 

[ThejacKmp]

 

Really? Oh... well that's dumb. I always thought you could. He defended a 1 run lead to win the game, that should be a save, but I guess that's not how it works.

Under your definition, every starting pitcher who pitched a complete game and won 2-0 would get a save as well. That's a hard no.

[MangLitch]

 

Watch this team win 4 of 6 now.

 

Heck, I wouldnt be surprised if they went on a six game winning streak here, only to return home and lose 9 of 11 versus the Orioles, Royals and Rays. The two wins coming from La MaKKKKKKKKKKKKKina of course, because he is just flat nasty. But they will be 2-1 wins, most likely. 

 

Watch them rattle off 6 games here with an average runs scored of 6.somethingnuts. Just to be that annoying bottle of fireball/tequila. You know its gonna hurt real bad the next day, but you just cant quite put it down. 

 

Oh well, just another day in loserville USA.... 

[caninatl04]

I think baseball is definitely the sport of the future:  a five hour game with a solo home run and a walk. Is this excitement or what?  The millennials will definitely put down their devices for this.

 

If anyone knows anything about TV ratings this year, let me know, but if one thought last year's free agent market was soft...

[caninatl04]

 

I see we signed another week hit catcher for AAA.  The front office seem determined to fill the bench and AAA with player that hit under the Mendoza line. 

Given the #5-#9 hitters in the Twins' major league lineup, the Mendoza line would be an improvement

[Danchat]

Motter was placed on the 7 day DL (concussion). Not sure who they can call up. Polanco will be back in 3-5 days, so maybe Austudillo as a INF/C?

[caninatl04]

 

Motter was placed on the 7 day DL (concussion). Not sure who they can call up. Polanco will be back in 3-5 days, so maybe Austudillo as a INF/C?

Not a negative against the poster-- thank you.  But who would have guessed in April that this would be a relevant headline?