Article: CLE 5, MIN 2: Twins Can’t Figure Out Bieber, Lindor Lifts Cleveland

[Kirby O'Connor]

After Shane Bieber gave up three home runs and six earned runs in his last start, it looked like the Minnesota Twins, owners of the most potent offense in the MLB, might have an easy time against Cleveland’s starter. However, Bieber figured out the Twins lineup and was able to throw seven innings while only allowing two runs, both coming on solo home runs.Box Score

Smeltzer: 6.1 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 59.8% strikes (49 of 82 pitches)

Home Runs: Gonzalez (7), Rosario (18)

Multi-Hit Games: Gonzalez (2-for-4, 2B, HR)

WPA of +0.1: None

WPA of -0.1: Kepler -.102, Smeltzer -.183

Download attachment: Win64.png

(chart via FanGraphs)

 

The Twins had only one other true scoring threat, when they put Miguel Sano at third and Johnathon Schoop at second with two outs in the second inning. Minnesota didn’t move anybody past second base outside of their two solo shots. The Tribe’s bullpen would come in and shut the door, Oliver Perez struck out the side in the eighth, and Brad Hand shut the door for the save in the ninth. The Twins did not record a hit after Eddie Rosario’s home run in the sixth inning.

 

Margo and Rosie Continue Their Tears, Rest of Team Goes Silent

One of the bright spots in a bleak night in Cleveland is the continued surges of Marwin Gonzalez and Eddie Rosario. Gonzalez would add a home run and double to his season total, following his strong series in Tampa Bay where he had another game where he had a double and home run. Gonzalez has six home runs and seven doubles this year. Unfortunately, Gonzalez ended his night with a game ending double-play ball.

 

Eddie Rosario only had one hit, but it was his 18th home run this year. The Twins couldn’t muster anything else out of their offense, with another particularly bad performance turned in by right fielder Max Kepler. Kepler went 0-for-4 to extend his at-bat streak without a hit to 17. Outside of Gonzalez and Rosario, the Twins only had two other hits, the double by Jonathan Schoop, and a single by Jorge Polanco. Byron Buxton should have had an infield single in the eighth, but a bobble by Cleveland shortstop Fransisco Lindor made it an error.

 

Smetlzer Can’t Figure Out Lindor, Gets Chased by Back-to-Back Homers

Rookie Devin Smeltzer had his “welcome to the big leagues” game as a starter today when he gave up two home runs to Indians’ shortstop Fransisco Lindor. Lindor hit a solo shot in the third on an 0-2 count, a pitch that Smeltzer was trying to locate above the zone, but left it belt-high and middle-in.

 

The second home run that Lindor hit was another pitch middle-in, but this time was a changeup left just under the belt. Lindor finished the game with those two home runs, a walk, and three RBIs. Smeltzer was chased from the game in the seventh inning when he gave up home runs on back-to-back pitches to Cleveland’s Roberto Perez and Jake Bauers. Twins relievers were solid tonight, and not overtaxed as Ryne Harper collected two outs and Tyler Duffey pitched a spotless eighth.

 

The Twins certainly didn’t play up to their potential tonight, but they also got rocked 14-3 to start their last series in Tampa Bay. The bats going cold is concerning, but it’s happened before. Smeltzer didn’t look as untouchable as he did in his last start, but it’s only his second career start and he was only making it as Michael Pineda spends time on the injured list. It never feels good to lose to a division rival, but this series is not make-or-break for the Twins. Look for a good bounce-back tomorrow from Minnesota tomorrow. After all, they are 15-3 following losses.

 

Bullpen Usage

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

Download attachment: Bullpen64.png

Next Game

Wed at CLE, 6:10 pm CT (Perez-Carrasco)

 

Last Game

MIN 9, TB 7: Odorizzi Shines In Tampa Return

 

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[Brock Beauchamp]

I think the theme of this game should be "it really doesn't matter if you lose when you're 40-18 with an 11 game lead in the division and put a rookie on the mound just to see how he does a second time around".

 

The Twins took a pretty typical loss on the chin tonight. It's nothing to worry about until it becomes a trend.

[Rosterman]

Well, a new pitcher is reminded that you don't walk the #9 hitter with a .200 average. He had a tough first inning, and a gem of the run for the rest of the game, until the 7th. Maybe pushing him one too many with a well-rested bullpen and people like Duffey able to pitch multiple innings. Tough loss. But you do have to lose occasionally. Good for the rookie, but probably not enough to keep him from going back to the minors when Pineda returns. 

 

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Well, a new pitcher is reminded that you don't walk the #9 hitter with a .200 average. He had a tough first inning, and a gem of the run for the rest of the game, until the 7th. Maybe pushing him one too many with a well-rested bullpen and people like Duffey able to pitch multiple innings. Tough loss. But you do have to lose occasionally. Good for the rookie, but probably not enough to keep him from going back to the minors when Pineda returns. 

I think he'll get one more start before Pineda returns, right?

 

edit: Nevermind, I think Pineda can come back this Friday.

[Mr. Brooks]

I think he'll get one more start before Pineda returns, right?

 

Nevermind, I think Pineda can come back this Friday.

Pineda is eligible to return on Thursday.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Pineda is eligible to return on Thursday.

Heh, edited my post at the same time.

[MMMordabito]

Smeltzer should have never come out for the 7th. That seemed like second guessing. Harper was already up in the 6th ... Not that it mattered, since Perez carved up the top of the order in the 8th.

[Aerodeliria]

He only threw Lindor two fastballs. He probably shouldn't have thrown him any. 

 

I think the major difference today was his inability to command the zone. His strike rate was 20% lower than the last time out.

[USAFChief]

He only threw Lindor two fastballs. He probably shouldn't have thrown him any.

 

I think the major difference today was his inability to command the zone. His strike rate was 20% lower than the last time out.

the second HR came on a change up.

[rghrbek]

I will say this because I have said this before and every time I have been wrong, so hopping for some of that mojo...Twins are bound to go on a slight slide...

 

 

[AlwaysinModeration]

This series doesn’t set up well—rookie going in game 1, then Carrasco and Bauer, in Cleveland. We might want to hold off on the coronation just yet (John and Aaron spent the entire Sunday podcast proclaiming the division was essentially over), and see if they can eke our one victory in this series.

[Old Twins Cap]

Cruz and Garver both had poor ABs last night.

 

Hopefully, they will shake the rust off quickly and get up to speed.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Smeltzer should have never come out for the 7th. That seemed like second guessing. Harper was already up in the 6th ... Not that it mattered, since Perez carved up the top of the order in the 8th.

 

I'm not sure about that. He hadn't even thrown 80 pitches at that point. Game was tight and well, you know all about our pen. I think the decision was justifiable. 

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

He only threw Lindor two fastballs. He probably shouldn't have thrown him any. 

 

I think the major difference today was his inability to command the zone. His strike rate was 20% lower than the last time out.

 

almost all of it, interestingly enough, was from the first inning where he threw about 20 pitches and more balls than strikes. They had the shift on the entire inning and he was asked to pepper the inside only, 

[twinsfanstreif]

I wonder if Beiber really hates his name. "There WAS nothing wrong with it until that no talent ass clown got famous and started winning Grammys!"

[stringer bell]

I missed Smeltzer's first start, but saw most of the game last night. I think he's showed enough to be first in line when there's a starting vacancy (rainouts, injuries), but with less than dominating stuff, he needs to have good command and keep ahead of counts. Smeltzer isn't going to give up four homers every start, but  he's a far better pitcher when he's pounding the strike zone.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

We're doomed. The sky is falling !

[Doomtints]

Smeltzer did a good job.

[Channing1964]

Pineda is eligible to return on Thursday.

if i were Pineda, Id be thinking about how its gonna be feel being a middle reliever very Very soon.

[Jham]

if i were Pineda, Id be thinking about how its gonna be feel being a middle reliever very Very soon.

Wait, Pineda is better than Smeltzer right? Smeltzer = Tommy Milone? Am I missing something?

[james2334]

Smelly pitched well in this start, but the reality for a pitcher with less than overpowering stuff is that they are often vulnerable the third time through the order. He obviously needed more run support, he also may need to adjust his pitch selection and location as he faces hitters a third and fourth time. 

[Channing1964]

Wait, Pineda is better than Smeltzer right? Smeltzer = Tommy Milone? Am I missing something?

Hahaahaaaa no.. no way...Milone has more experience....at throwing batting practice....lol What i meant was....before long we gonna see the need for a more consistent #5 starter.(like maybe Bumgarner or Greinke)

[bighat]

Cruz looked rusty.He might have some additional rough ABs in the next couple of games, dude's been out a month. The good news is that he's back! In the long run his presence is a huge plus for this team. I think we need to temper expectations on Garver a bit. He was on a hot streak that was simply unsustainable.

[USAFChief]

I'm not sure about that. He hadn't even thrown 80 pitches at that point. Game was tight and well, you know all about our pen. I think the decision was justifiable.

I thought it was a mistake to send Smeltzer out for the 7th. First of all, he's not that good. But mostly, he didn't have good command all night. He wasnt hitting his spots, and also left too many pitches in the middle of the plate.

 

It wasnt surprising to me the 7th was ugly.

[MMMordabito]

 

I'm not sure about that. He hadn't even thrown 80 pitches at that point. Game was tight and well, you know all about our pen. I think the decision was justifiable. 

 

Pitch count shouldn't even come into play there.  My take is that he was a rookie on the road who just got through an inning after a four pitch walk.  He got the ground ball to get the double play.  Let him leave with another quality start and a positive ending to his outing.  Baldelli was already concerned regardless of the pitch count, or he wouldn't have started warming up Harper.  I won't disagree that the decision was justifiable, but I still don't think it was the correct decision.

 

Smeltzer's FIP was 12.11 yesterday.  That doesn't really give your team a chance. 

[MMMordabito]

 

Smeltzer did a good job.

 

Pretty low bar .... Hildenberger called and wonders why he can't get his job back

[terrydactyls]

Yesterday was Tuesday, June 4 and it was the 59th game of the year.  The Twins are now 36%  of the way through the season.  Out of 59 years, the current team ranks 46th on the all-time list of Twins' home runs in one season and are on a pace to hit 305 home runs this season.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Cruz looked rusty.He might have some additional rough ABs in the next couple of games, dude's been out a month. The good news is that he's back! In the long run his presence is a huge plus for this team. I think we need to temper expectations on Garver a bit. He was on a hot streak that was simply unsustainable.

Cruz and Garver both. Sano too, though in his case the return was a bit more need based...

 

Either way, I think both Cruz and Garver could have used a bit more time rehabbing. No need to play in the field for either, just get their timing back...Given how well the team has hit, I'm a bit surprised that both had very short stints in the minors recovering their timing.

 

I just wonder how today's game would have went if it had been Castro and Cron in their place. 

[Doomtints]

 

Pretty low bar .... Hildenberger called and wonders why he can't get his job back

 

The two of them pitched the same number of innings in a Twins uniform this year. One has an ERA+ of 125. The other 54.

 

You know better than to pick up the phone when Hildenberger calls.

It's not unusual for rookie starters to be susceptible to the long ball in their first few games. Smeltzer did a good job and showed a lot of promise. He will be back.

Edited June 5, 2019 by Doomtints

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

I thought it was a mistake to send Smeltzer out for the 7th. First of all, he's not that good. But mostly, he didn't have good command all night. He wasnt hitting his spots, and also left too many pitches in the middle of the plate.

It wasnt surprising to me the 7th was ugly.

 

Except for the first inning, he didn't have too much problems hitting his spots, and as I mentioned before, they had 3 infielders on the left side of the infield and had him pitching inside to Cleveland's righty heavy lineup. That first inning he went through 20+ pitches and threw more balls the strikes. After that, he settled down and was very efficient...

 

So no, I don't think it was a bad call to leave him in. And let's not forget just how bad our pen has been. A shorter leash, perhaps.. but he wasn't showing sigs of slowing down.