Article: MIN 8, KC 7: Losing Streak Snapped Again

[Andrew Gebo]

Minnesota looked to once again avoid a three game losing streak and turned to Martin Perez to be the stopper. Perez struggled early, settled in for a bit before falling apart again in the fifth but a late rally gave Minnesota the win and kept their longest losing streak of the season to only two games.Box Score

Perez: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 60.8% strikes (48 of 79 pitches)

Bullpen: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Home Runs: Cron (16), Sano (8)

Multi-Hit Games: Rosario (3-for-5), Kepler (2-for-5), Polanco (2-for-5), Schoop (2-for-4)

 

WPA of +0.1: Rogers .451, Rosario .321, Kepler .205, Schoop .101

WPA of -0.1: Perez -.411

Download attachment: Win621.png

(chart via FanGraphs)

 

Not Exactly How You Draw It Up

Minnesota was trailing 3-1 when the fifth inning began. Their lone run came courtesy of a solo home run from C.J. Cron to lead off the second inning.

 

Jonathan Schoop lead off the fifth inning and must have been listening to the FSN broadcast saying “just get on base”, because he did just that when he reached first on a slow roller to shortstop for an infield single. After two quick outs from Polanco and Kepler it looked like Minnesota was going to waste another leadoff base runner. Nelson Cruz and Eddie Rosario had other ideas, however.

 

Cruz drew a walk and set the table for Eddie Rosario with runners on first and second and two outs. Rosie responded by ripping a line drive single to right field, scoring Schoop. Eddie then stole second base and a poor throw from the Kansas City catcher allowed Cruz to scamper home from third and tie the game at 3-3.

 

Martin Perez (Almost) Settles In

The first inning of the game was a weird one for Martin Perez and the Minnesota Twins. In the top half of the inning, Minnesota repeatedly squared up the ball but didn’t have anything to show for it.

 

The bottom half of the inning was equally frustrating. Martin Perez issued two walks, Jorge Polanco committed an error and a couple of weakly hit singles allowed Kansas City to score three runs.

 

After the first inning, Marin Perez settled in and pitched very well. He retired eight consecutive batters before Terrence Gore reached on a bunt single in the fourth inning. Perez quickly rebounded and induced a weak fly ball from Billy Hamilton to end the inning.

 

The bottom half of the fifth inning was a rough one for Perez. After issuing a lead off walk and hitting the next batter it looked like he was on the verge of wiggling out of the jam. He recorded his first two strikeouts of the night and he needed to retire Cheslor Cuthbert to end the inning. Unfortunately he threw a cutter that didn’t cut and Cuthbert made him pay, launching a three-run blast to left field and giving Kansas City a 6-3 lead.

 

Better Late Than Never

The powerful and potent Minnesota offense we have enjoyed for much of the season appeared to have been missing in their last few games. In the later innings of tonight’s game, the bats woke up — thank you, Jobu.

 

Max Kepler and Jorge Polanco led off the seventh inning with soft line drives to center field. A wild pitch advanced both runners, bringing Nelson Cruz up with runners on second and third and nobody out. Cruz quickly found himself in an 0-2 hole but battled back to a full count and laced a hard-hit ground ball down the first base line, scoring both runners and cutting the Kansas City lead to only one run.

 

The eighth inning was also another strong offensive inning for Minnesota. Sano got the inning started with a home run (see next paragraph), but the Twins did not stop there.

 

Mitch Garver was used as a pinch-hitter for Jake Cave to face the left-handed pitcher, Jake Diekman. Mitch drew a walk and Astudillo was brought in to pinch-run, which is as funny as it sounds. Schoop reached with a single and Max Kepler followed up with a single of his own, scoring Astudillo and giving Minnesota the lead.

 

After two botched contact plays the inning looked to be in jeopardy with two outs. That was until Eddie Rosario came through with the clutch RBI single and extended the lead to 8-6.

 

Miguel Sano Continues to Struggle (Sorta)

Miguel Sano has always been strikeout prone, that’s nothing new. When he first arrived back in the big leagues this year he was striking out but still hitting the ball with authority. Lately it’s been a whole lot of striking out and nothing else - 14 strikeouts in 23 at-bats

 

Tonight’s game was no different for Sano. He picked up another hat-trick by striking out in his first three at-bats. One of which came in a key run-scoring opportunity in the second inning.

 

All of that would change for Sano in the eighth inning. After falling behind, he was able to work the count full and hit an absolute rocket to right center. A solo home run to tie the game at 6-6.

 

He would strike out again, for the fourth time, in his final at-bat. Overall, Sano was 1-5 with four Ks and a home run.

 

Taylor Rogers Slams The Door

Ryne Harper was brought in to pitch the eighth but was quickly pulled after giving up a home run and a single without recording an out. Taylor Rogers was called upon to record a six-out save. Rogers wasted no time, retiring the next three batters in order and ending the Kansas City rally in the eighth inning.

 

The ninth inning was another stellar one for Rogers. An error by Austidillo in right field put a runner on with only one out but Rogers caught a line drive off the bat of Nicky Lopez and quickly doubled off Merrifield to end the game and earn the save.

 

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: Pen621.png

 

Click here to view the article

[blindeke]

Sort of crazy in-game managing here, but I have to say that it worked!

[Monticore]

Rogers should have started the 8th, of course. Glad he pinch-hit for Cave.

[Seansy]

Nice to see the bats come alive but Perez's and Sano's continued struggles are concerning. Jake Cave also seems to be pressing too much and is essentially a black hole in the line up until Buxton comes back.

[Aichiman]

Man, it's difficult listening to Rocco speak.  It's all platitudes with perfect grammar.  And at the end, I'm no more informed than I was before I started listening to him.  Man, I miss the straight talking old guys like Gardy and Earl and Francona.  Maybe I'll become an Indians fan.  The Tigers are too pathetic.

 

[Loops]

OK.  Sano ended up hitting an important home run.  BUT I think he needs to be sent down for a while to work on things.  In the last 7 games he has played in he has had 25 at bats with only 3 hits.  Admittedly 2 of the 3 were home runs.  He only walked 4 times and had 17 strike outs!!!  You can throw in one error during that time too.  You have to begin to wonder even with his power "potential" if he is more liability than asset.

[jrod23]

 

Man, it's difficult listening to Rocco speak.  It's all platitudes with perfect grammar.  And at the end, I'm no more informed than I was before I started listening to him.  Man, I miss the straight talking old guys like Gardy and Earl and Francona.  Maybe I'll become an Indians fan.  The Tigers are too pathetic.

 

Listening to WCCO yesterday I heard Rocco say, "Arraez is a young guy in reference to how long he's been on this Earth, but he's..."

 

So I hear you.  He clearly was sitting behind Nuke LaLoosh when when Crash Davis gave him the one-liners.

[jrod23]

 

OK.  Sano ended up hitting an important home run.  BUT I think he needs to be sent down for a while to work on things.  In the last 7 games he has played in he has had 25 at bats with only 3 hits.  Admittedly 2 of the 3 were home runs.  He only walked 4 times and had 17 strike outs!!!  You can throw in one error during that time too.  You have to begin to wonder even with his power "potential" if he is more liability than asset.

 

Yup!!!  And again, you hear Rocco speak his praises.

[jrod23]

Last two comments aside, I think Rocco is indeed crushing it.  Just annoying to hear him speak of how well our guys are doing when they're not.

[DiscGolfer]

I can handle the Sano strike outs as long as some hit come along with them.  There haven't been too many hits from him lately but that was a key bomba tonight.  One of his strkeouts tonight came on 2 low ball pitches that should've been called balls but called strikes instead.

[DiscGolfer]

 

Rogers should have started the 8th, of course. Glad he pinch-hit for Cave.

Rogers should have started the 9th, Harper should've finished the 8th, or at least gotten 1 or 2 outs.

[jz7233]

 

Rogers should have started the 9th, Harper should've finished the 8th, or at least gotten 1 or 2 outs.

Harper and Morin cannot last more than 1 inning period. After that they will be serving BP.

[oldguywithanitch]

OK. Sano ended up hitting an important home run. BUT I think he needs to be sent down for a while to work on things. In the last 7 games he has played in he has had 25 at bats with only 3 hits. Admittedly 2 of the 3 were home runs. He only walked 4 times and had 17 strike outs!!! You can throw in one error during that time too. You have to begin to wonder even with his power "potential" if he is more liability than asset.

I wonder if he would be in the minors right now if Gonzalez and Buxton weren't hurt.

[jimbo92107]

 

Nice to see the bats come alive but Perez's and Sano's continued struggles are concerning. Jake Cave also seems to be pressing too much and is essentially a black hole in the line up until Buxton comes back.

I'd like to see Lamont Wade try his hand at Cave's OF spot. Cave ain't hitting. Maybe Wade will. 

[Aerodeliria]

This is Rocco's style. He doesn't throw guys under the bus. You can understand what he says if your listen to him. He wasn't satisfied with Gibby on Wednesday, but for other managers it would almost seem like he might be praising him.

[Aerodeliria]

 

I'd like to see Lamont Wade try his hand at Cave's OF spot. Cave ain't hitting. Maybe Wade will. 

At least he would milk some BBs. I rather see what Rooker can do, however.

[Aerodeliria]

A couple of things I noticed from the highlights.

 

1) When Rosie is doing what he is doing lately, he is a marvelous player. That single to left was just a beautiful thing to watch.

 

2) Also, I don't get complaints about Cruz. He looks like a pro every time he's up there. He strikes out a lot, but he always has; however, he draws lots of walks and also does what he did tonight. 

 

3) Harper has been used three of the last four games. I am wondering if trust in other relievers is a bit shaky.

 

4) Despite the home run, Sano (and Cave) had multiple opportunities to drive in runs by putting the ball in play over the last few games, but he failed to do so. The idea that it doesn't matter because he hits home runs is an idea I can't get onboard with.

[theBOMisthebomb]

Man, it's difficult listening to Rocco speak.  It's all platitudes with perfect grammar.  And at the end, I'm no more informed than I was before I started listening to him.  Man, I miss the straight talking old guys like Gardy and Earl and Francona.  Maybe I'll become an Indians fan.  The Tigers are too pathetic.

You are kidding, right. You will switch allegiances because the manager 'talks good' during the post game interview? Then, only spews cliches. Goodness gracious man, flip off the T.V. after the game is done and go for a walk.

[twinsfanstreif]

OK.  Sano ended up hitting an important home run.  BUT I think he needs to be sent down for a while to work on things.  In the last 7 games he has played in he has had 25 at bats with only 3 hits.  Admittedly 2 of the 3 were home runs.  He only walked 4 times and had 17 strike outs!!!  You can throw in one error during that time too.  You have to begin to wonder even with his power "potential" if he is more liability than asset.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think he's out of options, the only way would be to fake an injury

[twinsfanstreif]

You are kidding, right. You will switch allegiances because the manager 'talks good' during the post game interview? Then, only spews cliches. Goodness gracious man, flip off the T.V. after the game is done and go for a walk.

 

I think the previous post was intended to be sarcasm

[Riverbrian]

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think he's out of options, the only way would be to fake an injury

 

He has an option. 

 

You are corrected. 

[terrydactyls]

Yesterday was Friday, June 21 and it was the 75th game of the year.  The Twins are now 46%  of the way through the season.  Out of 59 years, the current team ranks 23rd on the all-time list of Twins' home runs in one season and are on a pace to hit 309 home runs this season.

[Linus]

I’m happy for Sano. I’m critical of him but want him to succeed. I’m sure this stretch hasn’t been fun so maybe the homer will allow him to relax a little

[Darius]

The level of Sano induced insanity has hit an all-time high. He hit a home run in a massive spot to tie the game....and his demotion is called for. Despite a rough patch, he’s still OPSing .850. Astudillo is barely OPSing .600, and the same people are ready to put his number next Mauer’s on the limestone. Taking a step back and thinking about it....it’s comical.

 

It’s very similar to the obsession with Trump right now. Reality is thrown out the window. Facts mean nothing. It’s hysteria.

Edited June 22, 2019 by Darius

[bighat]

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think he's out of options, the only way would be to fake an injury

 

Sano has actually 2 options remaining so he could be sent down.

 

Problem is with Adrianza and Marwin Gonzales on the shelf, the Twins would have to bring up a guy on the 40-man roster who can play 3rd base. The only guy on the 40 who could even think about filling in would be Nick Gordon. Do you want to call up Nick Gordon to play 3rd base for a handful of games in his MLB debut?

 

Actually I kinda would like that haha! But I am pretty sure the Twins would not.

 

I'm super concerned about Sano just like everyone else. His homerun was absolutely the difference in last night's game but honestly he's looked absolutely lost. Although that K in the 9th inning featured 2 terrible strike calls against him...but I just don't see how you can play a guy going through a slump like this. Sano makes Joey Gallo look like Tony Gwynn.

 

I'm way more concerned about Perez. It's pretty clear that his early season success was indeed a fluke and he's back to being that pitcher who pitched to the tune of a 6.62 ERA last year in Texas. The Twins can't trade him, and can't move him to the bullpen as he wouldn't help there. I checked and it appears that Perez isn't out of options, so I think the logical move would be to send him down as soon as the Twins trade for help. Bumgardner fill his shoes nicely.

[bighat]

 

The level of Sano induced insanity has hit an all-time high. He hit a home run in a massive spot to tie the game....and his demotion is called for. Despite a rough patch, he’s still OPSing .850. Astudillo is barely OPSing .600, and the same people are ready to put his number next Mauer’s on the limestone. Taking a step back and thinking about it....it’s comical.

It’s very similar to the obsession with Trump right now. Reality is thrown out the window. Facts mean nothing. It’s hysteria.

 

I think it's best to keep this board politics-free, there are lots of places we can talk about Trump, Bernie, and Biden but I'd rather not see it here on TwinsDaily. I think we can all agree to that.

[Aerodeliria]

Yesterday was Friday, June 21 and it was the 75th game of the year. The Twins are now 46% of the way through the season. Out of 59 years, the current team ranks 23rd on the all-time list of Twins' home runs in one season and are on a pace to hit 309 home runs this season.

Thanks!

[theBOMisthebomb]

I think the previous post was intended to be sarcasm

Maybe. I think there is a chance he was serious. I don't know what to think.

[jorgenswest]

Would ripping players in the postgame help the team win more games? If so. Do it.

 

I don’t think it helps and if anything makes it harder to work with a player. With social media a manager’s words are immediately available and easily repeated. That wasn’t the case when Gardenhire started managing. I think Rocco has this part figured out.

[adorduan]

2 more errors in the game.... not good.