Article: MIN 5, OAK 1: Gibby’s Arm, Cave’s Bat and Adrianza’s Glove Lift Twins to Victory

[Tom Froemming]

Jake Cave hit a two-run homer in the first inning, Kyle Gibson pitched into the eight inning and Ehire Adrianza made a trio of impressive plays at third base Sunday afternoon in Oakland to lead the Twins to victory.

 

Another day, another Joe Mauer Minnesota milestone. With two hits, Mauer tied Harmon Killebrew for the most times on base in Twins history.Snapshot (chart via FanGraphs)

Gibson: 58 Game Score, 7.1 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 57.0% strikes (65 of 114 pitches)

Home Runs: Cave (12)

Multi-Hit Games: Mauer (2-for-4), Cave (2-for-4, HR), Adrianza (2-for-4, 2B)

WPA of 0.1 or higher: Gibson .210, Cave .135

WPA of -0.1 or lower: None

Download attachment: WinChart923.png

Gibson pitched well, but with only three strikeouts he needed his defense for plenty of support. Adrianza answered the call, making a few slick plays at third base including one that resulted in a huge inning-ending double play.

 

This was the sixth time this season Gibson has gone at least seven innings and given up no more than one run. He only accomplished that feat once in 2017 and three times in 2016.

 

Cave’s homer gave Gibson some breathing room early. It was Cave’s 12th home run of the season with the Twins, he had six more homers during his time with Rochester. The Twins managed to string together a three-run rally in the fourth inning, making for a relatively low-stress day.

 

Still, the fact the Twins managed to score five runs is pretty impressive considering their overall production for the day. Other than Cave’s homer, the only extra-base hit they had was an Adrianza double. They also combined for 10 strikeouts and didn’t draw a single walk.

 

The Twins used four different pitchers in the eighth inning to face a grand total of five batters. Gibson pitched to the first two Oakland batters of that inning, then Tyler Duffey, Gabriel Moya and Trevor May each faced exactly one batter. It worked, the Twins kept the A’s off the board that inning, but it sure did slow things down.

 

May stayed in to pitch a scoreless ninth. He retired four of the five batters he faced, two of them on strikeouts.

 

Next Three Games

Mon: Off

Tue vs. DET, 7:10 pm CT: TBD vs. Spencer Turnbull

Wed vs. DET, 7:10 pm CT: Jake Odorizzi vs. Matthew Boyd

Thu vs. DET, 7:10 pm CT: TBD vs. Francisco Liriano

 

Last Three Games

OAK 3, MIN 2: Willians Astudillo Collects Three More Hits

OAK 7, MIN 6: Khrush Davis Walks Off Twins

MIN 8, DET 2: Gonsalves Stymies Tigers

 

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[Circus Boy]

As always, thanks, Mr. Froemming, for these wrap-ups. The game threads are getting a tad thin, so I look forward to your commentary.

[Dantes929]

Hey.  Good team on the road and if it were a 27 inning game we would have won 13-11

[stringer bell]

Much appreciated summary Tom. I think Gibson has had an overall better season than Berrios. His K totals seem to have fallen a bit late in the season, but he still got to the 8th inning today. Gibson is at 190 IP, and is still competitive on the mound. 

[mikelink45]

I think Cave has made next years roster, I just hope Molitor has not given up on Buxton.  Adrianza may be pushing for SS if Polanco moves to 2B. But one win out of three cannot be taken to far in our need for optimism.

[ChrisKnutson]

Here’s a thought; Instead of going out an signing a FA SS in the offseason, why not give Gordon a shot (deserved or not) and have him Adrianza share time at SS to start the season.

[mngopherguy]

 

Here’s a thought; Instead of going out an signing a FA SS in the offseason, why not give Gordon a shot (deserved or not) and have him Adrianza share time at SS to start the season.

 

Because Gordon is struggled big time at AAA?  Giving jobs to guys who don't deserve it is going to cause problems in the clubhouse.  

[ashbury]

Giving jobs to guys who don't deserve it is going to cause problems in the boxscore.  

FTFY.

[USAFChief]

The Twins played yesterday??

 

[rdehring]

No question in my mind that Gibson should be one of three players extended this winter.  He, along with Rosario and Berrios, can be the core of the team for the next 4+ years.

 

I also like what they are doing with Petit.  AAA clubs have become a combination of prospects and prospects who have become AAAA type players.  AAA teams also need other team's minor league free agents to both build depth and to put the best product on the field for the minor league fans.  Guys like Petit are good examples of this third group.  I don't know what he makes while at Rochester, but adding him to the 40-man and calling him up for September gives him nearly another $100k.  As long as 40-man spots can be created, great way to make him happy to resign with the club for next year after being waived off the 40-man in October.  

[Tom Froemming]

Thanks for reading everybody!

 

Hey.  Good team on the road and if it were a 27 inning game we would have won 13-11

The walk-off losses put a negative spin on the series, but the Twins gave Oakland everything they could handle. It's a positive sign, and nice to see some of these guys get a taste of a playoff-type atmosphere on the road.

 

 

Much appreciated summary Tom. I think Gibson has had an overall better season than Berrios. His K totals seem to have fallen a bit late in the season, but he still got to the 8th inning today. Gibson is at 190 IP, and is still competitive on the mound. 

I'd take Berrios, but Gibby has been more consistent. Berrios has three more starts in which he recorded a game score of 40 or lower than Gibson this season. On the flip side, Berrios also has four more starts with a score of 65 or higher than Gibby does.

 

 

I think Cave has made next years roster, I just hope Molitor has not given up on Buxton.  Adrianza may be pushing for SS if Polanco moves to 2B. But one win out of three cannot be taken to far in our need for optimism.

I don't think Ehire hits enough to be a regular. He's hit .259/.312/.387 in 540 PAs with the Twins the past two seasons, that's an 88 OPS+. A good offensive team may be able to get away with that from its shortstop, but I think the Twins are going to need all the help they can get at the plate next season.

[bird]

 

The Twins played yesterday??

 

Just auditions.

[ashbury]

Just auditions.

Don't forget the swan songs.

[Mike Sixel]

 

The Vikings played yesterday??

 

FIFY......

[Doomtints]

 

Just auditions.

 

I wish.

 

Mauer, who won't be around much longer, is batting leadoff.

 

They're not auditioning jack. Dude should be batting 8th or 9th. No one auditions for the bottom of the batting order and he's not hitting well enough to be at the top.

Edited September 24, 2018 by Doomtints

[ChrisKnutson]

Because Gordon is struggled big time at AAA? Giving jobs to guys who don't deserve it is going to cause problems in the clubhouse.

 

That’s a valid point, and I understand it, but how much of a difference do you really think that’d make?? And let’s say Gordon actually does really well in spring training, then what? Would you still bury him behind a FA (or two), Adrianza, maybe even Lewis? C’mon, at least give Gordon a fair shot, he’s still a 1st rounder, who’s most recent success was as recent as this year in Chattanooga. Besides, the money you all want spent on either Iglesias, Murphy, Galvis, etc could actually be better utilized in going after big league bats like Nelson Cruz and Wilson Ramos. Edited September 24, 2018 by ChrisKnutson

[Riverbrian]

 

That’s a valid point, and I understand it, but how much of a difference do you really think that’d make?? And let’s say Gordon actually does really well in spring training, then what? Would you still bury him behind a FA (or two), Adrianza, maybe even Lewis? C’mon, at least give Gordon a fair shot, he’s still a 1st rounder, who’s most recent success was as recent as this year in Chattanooga. Besides, the money you all want spent on either Iglesias, Murphy, Galvis, etc could actually be better utilized in going after big league bats like Nelson Cruz and Wilson Ramos.

 

Nick Gordon will be placed on the 40 man roster this off-season and he has all 3 options remaining. 

 

In my opinion... there would be absolutely no reason to roll the dice on a guy when you don't have to. You don't want to shorten the depth on a dice roll. 

 

You can't sign a free Agent 2B or SS and place them in Rochester for depth. Only players with options or players signed to minor league contracts can be placed on the farm. 

 

SIgn a 2B or SS and when someone gets hurt and someone always does... Gordon can be the call up. If Gordon comes up and performs at the MLB level... now you have too many players and one of them can be traded to shore up somewhere else.   

 

If the Twins, during the off-season were to determine that Gordon is a starting 2B or SS next year and we don't attempt to sign someone else for that position via trade or FA. They will have purposely decided to put all of their eggs in the Nick Gordon basket when it wasn't necessary. If Gordon hits .150... there will be no options to replace him because you didn't attempt to sign anyone else and all your eggs are in the Gordon Basket. SIgn a 2B or SS and have Gordon in AAA ready to replace one of them if they end up with a hip impingement or hit .150. Same amount of Eggs... Multiple baskets. 

 

I'm sorry... but I'm not personally willing to put up with this type of thing anymore. This choosing one player and developing one player at a time at each position every year, then living and dying with the consequences needs to come to stop with this year's roster. 2019 needs to be different. 

[ChrisKnutson]

Nick Gordon will be placed on the 40 man roster this off-season and he has all 3 options remaining.

 

In my opinion... there would be absolutely no reason to roll the dice on a guy when you don't have to. You don't want to shorten the depth on a dice roll.

 

You can't sign a free Agent 2B or SS and place them in Rochester for depth. Only players with options or players signed to minor league contracts can be placed on the farm.

 

SIgn a 2B or SS and when someone gets hurt and someone always does... Gordon can be the call up. If Gordon comes up and performs at the MLB level... now you have too many players and one of them can be traded to shore up somewhere else.

 

If the Twins, during the off-season were to determine that Gordon is a starting 2B or SS next year and we don't attempt to sign someone else for that position via trade or FA. They will have purposely decided to put all of their eggs in the Nick Gordon basket when it wasn't necessary. If Gordon hits .150... there will be no options to replace him because you didn't attempt to sign anyone else and all your eggs are in the Gordon Basket. SIgn a 2B or SS and have Gordon in AAA ready to replace one of them if they end up with a hip impingement or hit .150. Same amount of Eggs... Multiple baskets.

 

I'm sorry... but I'm not personally willing to put up with this type of thing anymore. This choosing one player and developing one player at a time at each position every year, then living and dying with the consequences needs to come to stop with this year's roster. 2019 needs to be different.

 

As long as Gordon/Adrianza can field their position we won’t need to worry about being burned by that decision, especially if we sign big bats like Cruz, Murphy (as a 1st baseman), and Ramos.

 

Also, we can always sign Eric Sogard, or someone like that, to a minor league deal.

Edited September 24, 2018 by ChrisKnutson

[USAFChief]

 

As long as Gordon/Adrianza can field their position we won’t need to worry about being burned by that decision, especially if we sign big bats like Cruz, Murphy (as a 1st baseman), and Ramos.

Also, we can always sign Eric Sogard, or someone like that, to a minor league deal.

"We don't need to worry about" offense?

 

Do. Not. Concur.

[ChrisKnutson]

"We don't need to worry about" offense?

 

Do. Not. Concur.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot Arraez existed; he’s another option as well.

[Nine of twelve]

 

Just auditions.

 

 

I wish.

 

Mauer, who won't be around much longer, is batting leadoff.

 

They're not auditioning jack. Dude should be batting 8th or 9th. No one auditions for the bottom of the batting order and he's not hitting well enough to be at the top.

When you're playing a team that is still contending for a postseason berth you have to manage to win. Auditions resume tomorrow.

[yarnivek1972]

Hard to audition anyone with 11 healthy position players. The guys that play are the ones they have, period.

[Riverbrian]

 

As long as Gordon/Adrianza can field their position we won’t need to worry about being burned by that decision, especially if we sign big bats like Cruz, Murphy (as a 1st baseman), and Ramos.

Also, we can always sign Eric Sogard, or someone like that, to a minor league deal.

 

I understand... However... If we sign Cruz, Murphy and Ramos... that would be awesome... but it still wouldn't justify a wing and a prayer at 2B or SS. 

[ChrisKnutson]

I understand... However... If we sign Cruz, Murphy and Ramos... that would be awesome... but it still wouldn't justify a wing and a prayer at 2B or SS.

 

Alright then, but instead of signing a middle infielder, I’d much rather see the Twins trade for one; Starlin Castro, Aledmys Diaz, Ketel Marte, etc. Edited September 25, 2018 by ChrisKnutson

[Riverbrian]

 

Alright then, but instead of signing a middle infielder, I’d much rather see the Twins trade for one; Starlin Castro, Aledmys Diaz, Ketel Marte, etc.

 

[ChrisKnutson]

Although, in order to actually make deal, I gotta imagine that any of Cave, Vasquez, Gonsalves, Thorpe, Wade, etc are gonna have to be on the table.

[yarnivek1972]

Wade isn’t a player that will make a trade package more enticing.