Article: MIN 4, LAA 3: Throw Down

[Tom Froemming]

Byron Buxton made a beautiful defensive play — this time with his arm — but it ended with Mitch Garver being assisted off the field, not putting any weight on his left leg. It was the loudest Target Field has been all year, immediately followed by concern for Garver, who hit his ninth home run earlier in the game.Box Score

Gibson: 5.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 56.8% strikes (50 of 88 pitches)

Home Runs: Garver (9)

Multi-Hit Games: None

WPA of +0.1: Parker .229

WPA of -0.1: None

Download attachment: Win514.png

(chart via FanGraphs)

 

With the Twins clinging to a one-run lead, Brian Goodwin sent a solid single into center field. Buxton corralled the in-between hop, set himself and fired a bullet to home plate, right on the money, to nail Shohei Ohtani trying to score the game-tying run. This play … wow.

Garver did an excellent job at positioning himself wisely to make the catch and tag at home plate, but sometimes trouble just seems to find you no matter what you’re doing. Ohtani slid into his foot and Garver had to be assisted off the field.

According to old friend Rhett Bollinger, who is now the MLB.com beat writer for the Angels, that thrown from Buxton was 98.6 mph and traveled 253 feet. That play ended up being the difference in the game, as Blake Parker protected the one-run lead to earn his seventh save of the season.

 

Gibby’s Strike Rate

If there’s one number you can look at in regard to Kyle Gibson and have a pretty good indication of his overall performance it’s his strike percentage. When Gibson is able to throw a good amount of strikes, things typically go very well. If not, it tends to catch up with him eventually.

 

This has typically been characterized as Gibson nibbling. I’m not so sure if that’s necessarily accurate, I think it has more to do with his command than his confidence. But whatever your takeaway with Gibson’s difficulties throwing strikes, the numbers don’t lie. Check this out:

Download attachment: GibsonTable.png

When Gibson has a strike rate of 60% or higher, which has happened in exactly half of his starts this season, he’s tremendous. Unfortunately, Tuesday was not one of those nights. Gibson carried a shutout into the sixth inning, but he gave up three runs on four hits and a walk before being pulled.

 

RISP Review

A couple games ago I touched on how much this team was struggling to hit in clutch situations. Eddie Rosario got things off to a great start in this game. With two down and a runner in scoring position in the first inning, Rosie drove in Jorge Polanco with a single. Buxton drove in the Twins’ second run on another hit with two outs and a runner in scoring position.

 

Unfortunately, they couldn’t keep that mojo working. The Twins loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh inning, but C.J. Cron struck out to end the threat. Angels reliever Taylor Cole started the at bat with a slider out of the zone, threw a changeup that Cron fouled off, then amped it up to pound two 95 mph fastballs on the outside edge.

 

Three-Pitcher Inning

Rocco Baldelli used three pitchers in the seventh inning. Ryne Harper, who recorded the final out of the sixth inning, faced the first three batters. Tyler Duffey was called upon to face right-handed hitter David Fletcher. He gave up a single and Mike Morin was brought in to face left-handed hitter Tommy La Stella.

 

Strange. I’m not sure I’ve seen a three-pitcher inning where they were all right-handers. Usually there’s a LOOGY in the mix somewhere. Maybe this tells us that Morin, who has a killer changeup, is effectively the Twins LOOGY right now.

 

The Shift Works!

Well … sometimes. After a poor run of luck on the shift last night and some good conversations in the comments section of the game recap, I tried to pay closer attention to when it did work and wanted to come away with some visual evidence .

 

There were a couple instances it worked, but the big one resulted in Mike Trout grounding into a double play.

Of course, the shift taketh and the shift giveth away. There were times it did not work, like when Shohei Ohtani hit a dribbler through the infield for an RBI single in the sixth inning.

 

Postgame With Baldelli

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

Wed vs. LAA, 12:10 pm CT (Odorizzi-Cahill)

Thu at SEA, 9:10 pm CT (TBD-Swanson)

Fri at SEA, 9:10 pm CT (TBD)

 

Last Game

LAA 5, MIN 4: More Missed Opportunities

 

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[MNT1996]

That was a hell of a stressful game, but good teams manage and get the W in these gritty games. Twins did that.

[AceWrigley]

This is the type of game that the last few years seemed hard to win. Get a lead, the other team comes back and grabs the momentum, then . . . well you know, another loss. Not tonite. Gibby hung in there until he didn't, then the pen men held the fort. Check out the ERA's of the relievers in the box score. Can't remember the last time seeing such a string of low ERA's. Hope Garv is alright. Go Twins!

[MNT1996]

Also if Garver needs a DL stint we gotta bring up Sano. I don't trust Adrianza or Tortuga one bit in this line up. Sure Sano will strike out, but at least he'll bring a power threat.

[Aerodeliria]

Well, we can all start breathing again at least.

 

Ohtani-san will be on the news again tonight, but he might be shown getting thrown out twice as well as the praising of his hits. (Personally, I like Ohtani-san to succeed, but not at the expense of a Twins' loss. Last night on just the sporting section of the news, they showed Ohtani-san's home run six times; his single once; they interviewed him after the game and they also interviewed the TV broadcaster for the Angels' games because apparently, he uses the term 'big fly' to indicate a home run, so clearly they were waiting for Ohtani-san to hit his first homer of the season so they could interview him. They have also now made the term 'big fly' into Japanese（ビッグ・フライ）and I suppose they are selling t-shirts as the broadcaster was wearing one. That is all to say, things just tend to get a little bit over the top--especially concerning Ohtani-san who is loved by virtually all Japanese across every generation.)

 

I wasn't really sure why Rocco switched from Harper to Duffey. It seemed like Harper was doing fine, but I really appreciated the switch from Duffey to Morin. I know that there are times when Duffey looks like Mariano Rivera (OK--maybe a stretch but it seems that way in the chatter), but in the context of today's game--clinging to a one run lead--I can say that he has been unreliable, so getting the hook was the right move IMHO.

[jtkoupal]

Hope Garver is ok. The man was crushing it. Gotta get healthy and come back. The Twins have Castro and Astudillo who can hold down the fort in the meantime.

 

My money would be on Sanó getting the call-up. Guess the deliberation over Whether Adrianza or Astudillo or a pitcher was the odd-man out. Looks like this one may have worked itself out. Adrianza may be the #1 beneficiary, in my opinion.

[USAFChief]

It's fun to care about winning or losing again.

 

I still maintain the Twins will not be able to survive this pen.

 

But good win tonight. Hopefully Garver isnt seriously hurt.

[Danchat]

A high-ankle sprain is usually a multi-week injury, perhaps 2-4 weeks, at least in football. It may be more difficult to come back as a catcher since he'll be squatting so much.

 

This is why you don't trade Castro away 'cause now you'd be down to Astudillo and... Tomas Telis?

[Aerodeliria]

 

A high-ankle sprain is usually a multi-week injury, perhaps 2-4 weeks, at least in football. It may be more difficult to come back as a catcher since he'll be squatting so much.

 

This is why you don't trade Castro away 'cause now you'd be down to Astudillo and... Tomas Telis?

 

Do you think the Twins will bring Telis or Sawyer up to the big club?

[Aerodeliria]

Rocco Baldelli nearly guaranteed himself a cameo appearance on Japanese TV by pointing out that Ohtani-san is one of the fastest players and that he runs like a gazelle. If the Japanese media find the clip posted here, it is almost a foregone conclusion.

[snotboogie]

High ankle sprains are nasty. I've had one, but I didn't have the benefit of a professional training staff. Hopefully Garver will be back soon.

 

Y'know I love Rocco and all, but y'know I wish I could just read a y'know transcript of his interviews with a certain y'know word edited out. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Do you think the Twins will bring Telis or Sawyer up to the big club?

No. That's why Astudillo exists. Either Sano is ready or they'll backfill with another reliever.

[Don't Feed the Greed Guy]

Gonzalez was a Hoover tonight, picking up everything on the left side of the infield. And a Howitzer too.

[Dantes929]

Pen won another game tonight.   Walks always seem to loom large when the other team scores crooked numbers but especially for Gibson.    Whenever I see Gibson give up runs I look to see if he has walked anyone.   Usually its how the first guy gets on base.

[h2oface]

 

That is all to say, things just tend to get a little bit over the top--especially concerning Ohtani-san who is loved by virtually all Japanese across every generation.)

 

I had to look it up to see why you were going all -san.
https://www.sljfaq.org/afaq/titles.html

 

Houston doesn't seem to have any trouble blowing out Detroit.

[wabene]

I had to look it up to see why you were going all -san.https://www.sljfaq.org/afaq/titles.html

 

Houston doesn't seem to have any trouble blowing out Detroit.

 

They had a little trouble doing it to the TWINS

[David HK]

Welp, I'm just an old-school old fart, but I'm wondering how it would play back home if Ohtani-san got to wear one in the seat of the pants his first AB, just for the hell of it.

[MMMordabito]

I had to look it up to see why you were going all -san.

https://www.sljfaq.org/afaq/titles.html

 

Houston doesn't seem to have any trouble blowing out Detroit.

Yep, and according to some they don't even have Babe Ruth at catcher and Rod Carew at shortstop. AJ Hinch is a genius!!!

[rdehring]

A high ankle sprain bothers me, especially for a catcher.  Hopefully, it is a couple weeks and doesn't linger all season.

 

Duff looked so good in his inning last weekend.  But last night he was like a deer in headlights.  Come on, Duff, the Twins need ya!

[Number3]

 

Gonzalez was a Hoover tonight, picking up everything on the left side of the infield. And a Howitzer too.

That is what bothers me about Sano playing 3b on an every day basis. Would show up in the L column I am afraid. These types of games are what make the difference in Oct. Definitely one of the 42.

[Ole St Carleton]

No way Sano should be allowed to play in the field- exc 1st base in an inter-league game (if he's hot at the plate). With Cruz hurting, perhaps he can come up and show what he has at DH and learn the trade from the veteran. With Gonzales, Tortuga and Adrianza- 3rd base is well covered.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

No way Sano should be allowed to play in the field- exc 1st base in an inter-league game (if he's hot at the plate). With Cruz hurting, perhaps he can come up and show what he has at DH and learn the trade from the veteran. With Gonzales, Tortuga and Adrianza- 3rd base is well covered.

Sano needs to play the field but I agree that he shouldn't (and probably won't) be playing at third every day, especially if Cruz is down for a couple of weeks.

 

But when Cruz comes back, there's no way to get both players on the field at the same time without Sano manning third base.

[MMMordabito]

 

That is what bothers me about Sano playing 3b on an every day basis. Would show up in the L column I am afraid. These types of games are what make the difference in Oct. Definitely one of the 42.

 

It's going to be a managerial balancing act for sure.  Getting Sano enough PAs to allow him to show he can realize his potential (or not) and keeping what's been a very good defense most games in tact will be tough. Marwin's versatility makes it easy in theory ( just give everyone a day off each week), but his defensive value at the hot corner and the drop-off that's realized at other positions doesn't make it cut and dried.

 

Great problem to have provided Sano is producing after a few games of getting back into seeing MLB pitching and the routine of the MLB game.

[SomeGuy]

The IL trip is official, Sano is back.

 

Still no word on Garver's timeline.  Hopefully it is just the sprain.

Edited May 15, 2019 by SomeGuy

[Brock Beauchamp]

The IL trip is official, Sano is back.

 

Still no word on Garver's timeline. Hopefully it is just the sprain.

I haven’t seen any updated news on Garver so if someone sees something, please share it.

[SomeGuy]

 

I haven’t seen any updated news on Garver so if someone sees something, please share it.

I'm guessing they haven't finished the testing they were going to do today but know its bad enough for an IL trip.

 

These are from the Fantasy Baseball world and don't offer anything concrete.

 

Twins placed C Mitch Garver on the 10-day injured list with a high left ankle sprain.

Advice: Garver suffered the high ankle sprain Tuesday in a home-plate collision with Shohei Ohtani. He's likely to miss the rest of May and maybe a good portion of June as well. The 28-year-old catcher was off to a tremendous start this season for Minnesota, slashing .329/.418/.747 with nine home runs and 19 RBI in 25 games while showing improved defense behind the plate. Jason Castro and Willians Astudillo will presumably share time at catcher moving forward.
(Rotoworld.com)

 

Mitch Garver has been diagnosed with a high ankle sprain in his left leg.

Advice: Garver suffered the injury in the eighth inning of Tuesday night's game against the Angels when Shohei Ohtani slid into his leg at home plate. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said more tests are coming Wednesday, so the final diagnosis might even be more serious. It did look ugly. Garver, who owns a stellar .329/.418/.747 batting line with nine home runs and 19 RBI in 25 games this season, is almost certainly headed to the injured list.

More: Dan Hayes on Twitter

[Vanimal46]

I haven’t seen any updated news on Garver so if someone sees something, please share it.

Here's what a Twitter doctor says!

 

https://twitter.com/ProFootballDoc/status/1128500098617319425?s=19

 

He says most likely 60 day IL.

[Brock Beauchamp]

60 day?

 

Ughhhhhhhhhhhhh.

 

The Minnesota Twins: Can’t Have Nice Things Since 1961

[tarheeltwinsfan]

I feel very disappointed for Garver. He was off to a great start this year. Hope he heals completely quickly.

[wsnydes]

 

60 day?

Ughhhhhhhhhhhhh.

The Minnesota Twins: Can’t Have Nice Things Since 1961

Official twins release says 10 day. That obviously doesn't mean it won't be 60 days anyway though.