Article: Twins Game Recap (7/18): Rosario Ignites Late-Inning Comeback

[AJ Condon]

Eddie Rosario redeems himself after yesterday’s error with a go-ahead pinch-hit three-run homer in the seventh and Mitch Carver and C.J. Cron add big insurance runs. Gibson helps Twins pick up their second win against Mike Fiers and Taylor Rogers saves the comeback. The Twins continue to be sloppy and it needs to be fixed.Box Score

Gibson: 7 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 68.9% strikes (73 of 106 pitches)

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

 

Home Runs: Rosario (21), Garver (16), Cron (18)

Multi-Hit Games: None

 

WPA of +0.1: Rogers .160, Sano .210, Rosario .465

WPA of -0.1: Garver -.108

 

Rosario Redeems and Garver, Cron Solidify

 

A night after Eddie Rosario dropped what would have been an inning-ending fly ball to keep the game within reach, he blasts the first pitch he sees tonight to give the Twins a 4-3 lead. Rosario was most likely not in the lineup tonight as punishment for yesterday’s mishap, but made his presence felt tonight.

 

 

That was just the second pinch-hit home run for the Twins this season, and of course Rosario was the culprit of the first one as well. In 12 at-bats as a pinch-hitter, Rosario has three hits for three home runs.

 

Mitch Garver and C.J. gave the final punches in tonight’s game by each hitting a solo shot in the eighth for huge insurance runs to give them a three-run lead going into the ninth. The Athletic’s bullpen gave up three hits in tonight’s game, but they were the three biggest hits for the Twins.

 

Pitcher’s Rematch

 

Just over two weeks ago, Kyle Gibson and Mike Fiers faced up against each other, but unlike tonight, neither pitcher picked up a decision in that 12-inning contest. Tonight Gibson got rewarded for his solid outing, and the Twins picked up just their second win against Fiers in 13 games against him.

 

Gibson had another great outing against the Athletics, but this time was actually able to pick up the win. He pitched his deepest into a game and picked up his most strikeouts since June 25th. It was very impressive to see Gibson work around a few errors, not give up any walks, and pick up the win. He struck out three batters with his two-seam, and two batters with each of his changeup and slider.

 

Rogers' Save

 

Taylor Rogers started warming up immediately following Rosario’s go-ahead home run for a six-out save. Rogers has been the Twins’ best reliever, and continued his great season tonight. He gave up two singles in the eighth, but that was nothing to worry about as he retired the next five batters to complete the save and end the Twins’ longest losing streak of the season.

 

Sloppy Play

 

The Twins sloppy play has been pretty apparent since the All-Star break, and it continued tonight. Coming into tonight’s game they had six errors in five games and added two more in the first two innings. A couple of base-running errors also ended Twins’ threat in two different innings.

 

The base-running errors were the ones that hurt the most tonight. The first one came with a man on third base and one out. Max Kepler ripped a line drive to first base, which Olson made a nice grab on, and doubled up Cave who was halfway to home plate.

 

The next one came after a leadoff walk and single, when Arraez thought Cave had been hit by a pitch and was making his way to third only to realize the ball was still in play and proceeded to get thrown out on his way back to second.

Though the errors didn’t lead to anything tonight, it still is something that you want to clean up because they usually come back to hurt. Arraez and Sano were responsible for the fielding errors tonight with Arraez picking up a two-base error in the first after misfiring a throw to first, and Sano misfielding a hard hit ball that landed 10 feet in front of him.

 

Postgame With Baldelli

 

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

Click here for a review of the number of pitches thrown by each member of the bullpen over the past five days.

 

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[jimbo92107]

Rocco Baldelli, yer a genius!

[terrydactyls]

Today is Thursday, July 18, it was the 95th game of the year and the Twins hit 3 home runs. The Twins are now 59% of the way through the season. Out of 59 years, the current team ranks 9th on the all-time list of Twins' home runs in one season and are on a pace to hit 302 home runs this season. They are now 90 home runs behind the single season MLB record. The next Twins team to pass is the 1962 team that hit 185 home runs.

 

[Aerodeliria]

Play Arraez more. (Sorry, I just had to say that.)

 

Nice and needed win. 

 

Cave was apparently going on contact, so it's hard to fault him for that. Arraez's base-running blunder was another mental mistake. We escaped our sloppy play this time, but often in tight games, those kinds of plays come back to bite you very, very hard.

[Monticore]

Nice to get this win but the sloppy play has to stop.

[Darius]

That was a huge win (they all seem that way now).

 

Really fun game to watch. Incredible home run from Rosario. That truly felt like a breakout moment. The change in energy was electric.

 

Garver is pretty incredible as well. He’s emerging as a premier player. The guy can hit.

 

Hopefully this a springboard to 3 of 4.

Edited July 19, 2019 by Darius

[MNT1996]

2 more errors. Gotta clean that up.

[theBOMisthebomb]

Mental errors, laziness, and not hustling are luxuries this team (really no team) can afford if you want to achieve greatness. I am glad Eddie got back on the horse and atoned for yesterday's sins.

[howeda7]

This felt like a potential season saver and hopefully it was. 

[jokin]

 

Garver is pretty incredible as well. He’s emerging as a premier player. The guy can hit.

Hopefully this a springboard to 3 of 4.

 

Fully concur. Rocco has had full confidence in him all season, and Garver has responded. He looks like a wise and confident veteran at the plate, just sitting on a variety of pitches to hit to all fields.

 

It makes me question his WPA rating, though. I mean, how bad was he behind the plate, really?

[bighat]

 

This felt like a potential season saver and hopefully it was. 

 

That's how it felt to me also - Twins have their first 3-game winning streak, Cleveland hasn't lost since the Taft administration, down 2 runs late....Eddie freaking Rosario hits a PH homer to bring this team back.

 

Here's hoping this Twins team can take this momentum and win this series. Taking 3-of-4 from Oakland would be absolutely huge. Let's get another one tonight.

[Mr. Brooks]

Fully concur. Rocco has had full confidence in him all season, and Garver has responded. He looks like a wise and confident veteran at the plate, just sitting on a variety of pitches to hit to all fields.

 

It makes me question his WPA rating, though. I mean, how bad was he behind the plate, really?

Defense doesn't factor into WPA.

[mikelink45]

One of the most fun games of the year.  But the other commentators have already emphasized the other side of the coin - errors - physical and mental.  Why is this continuing.  It seems like it is increasing instead of being fixed.  What can be done? 

 

Is Schoop now a bench player? 

 

When are Buxton and Wade coming off the IL? 

[Tom Froemming]

These just keep getting more and more silly. Come check out some highlights from a great win and have a laugh with me.

 

[USAFChief]

 

These just keep getting more and more silly. Come check out some highlights from a great win and have a laugh with me.

 

teh awesome.

 

 

[Danchat]

One of the most fun games of the year. But the other commentators have already emphasized the other side of the coin - errors - physical and mental. Why is this continuing. It seems like it is increasing instead of being fixed. What can be done?

 

Is Schoop now a bench player?

 

When are Buxton and Wade coming off the IL?

Schoop pulled an abdominal muscle two days ago and should be back soon. Wade dislocated his thumb and is going to miss an extended period of time.

[Only Here in Negative]

I'm sorry but no way that Cave being doubled off on Kepler's smash is a baserunning error. With the normal lead he's taking and the momentum towards home on the pitch so as to be ready to score on a wild pitch, there's no way he's going to get back before Olson throws the ball to third. I have no issue with him breaking for home on that one - if you're not getting back you might as well score in case the ball hit the ground.

 

That's some insane nitpicking.

[Only Here in Negative]

The Arraez and Sano errors were also pretty soft errors. Yeah they should get those but neither was a particularly simple play. Sano's was a smash that he didn't scoop right. It's an error but not one to complain too much on. Arraez hurried a throw after a bad hop. The throw probably needed to be hurried and I want him going for the out on that one.

 

Arraez's move to third was bad though. No upside to moving to third, wait for the call.

[Vanimal46]

I completely understand wanting to get the win by using Rogers for another 2 inning save... However, I'm getting a little concerned how much Rocco is using him lately. The Twins really need another reliever who can produce in high leverage situations.

[Number3]

 

2 more errors. Gotta clean that up.

I truly hate to say it but Sano made 2 errors in Gibson's last start and I believe he is a liability in the field and totally unpredictable at the plate. I don't want to see him at 3rd in a really crucial game.

Nice to see Baldelli leave Gibson in for 7.

Score 5 or more and win. Score less than 5 and usually lose. Pretty simple formula. Applies again tonight.

[rdehring]

Eddie, Eddie, Eddie.  Now maybe the team will get their "swagger" back and clean up some of those mental errors.

[USAFChief]

 

I'm sorry but no way that Cave being doubled off on Kepler's smash is a baserunning error. With the normal lead he's taking and the momentum towards home on the pitch so as to be ready to score on a wild pitch, there's no way he's going to get back before Olson throws the ball to third. I have no issue with him breaking for home on that one - if you're not getting back you might as well score in case the ball hit the ground.

 

That's some insane nitpicking.

I disagree.

 

Even if the contact play is on, which I have zero problem with, that's on a ground ball. If the ball is in the air, your first step is always back towards third. The line drive was caught at first, not third, an entire infield away. There's no way to excuse getting picked off third on a ball caught at first. None. 

 

Fundamentals. That, plus the Arraez gaffe, cost the Twins two runners in scoring position. There's been a lot of that. Both of them were inexcusable, IYAM.

[Only Here in Negative]

What are you talking about? Guys get picked off on that play all the time. I can remember (but not specifically) the Twins doing it twice this year. It's one thing to say a guy should be more cautious but to say that there's no excuse is laughably ignorant of actual baseball.

 

Taking a normal lead and then moving another 2-3 steps towards home with the pitch means that Kepler is likely 5-6 steps from the bag. That was a hard smash and Olson was immediately up and throwing. An entire infield away is like 125 feet. MLB players make that throw in an instant. Kep had no chance.

 

Ironically, the only people in the league who aren't doubled off on that are probably your pitchers and slow plodders who don't take much of a lead because they aren't going home on anything but the most obvious wild pitch anyway. Any player with any speed at all is too far from the bag. That's just bad luck.

[wsnydes]

 

I disagree.

 

Even if the contact play is on, which I have zero problem with, that's on a ground ball. If the ball is in the air, your first step is always back towards third. The line drive was caught at first, not third, an entire infield away. There's no way to excuse getting picked off third on a ball caught at first. None. 

 

Fundamentals. That, plus the Arraez gaffe, cost the Twins two runners in scoring position. There's been a lot of that. Both of them were inexcusable, IYAM.

I could understand getting doubled off if it were a close play at the bag, but he didn't even make a move back to the bag. That's the part I didn't like. That play didn't develop that fast and that wasn't a strong throw to 3B. Cave was still halfway down the line when the ball was caught at 3B.

Edited July 19, 2019 by wsnydes

[USAFChief]

 

What are you talking about? Guys get picked off on that play all the time. I can remember (but not specifically) the Twins doing it twice this year. It's one thing to say a guy should be more cautious but to say that there's no excuse is laughably ignorant of actual baseball.

 

Taking a normal lead and then moving another 2-3 steps towards home with the pitch means that Kepler is likely 5-6 steps from the bag. That was a hard smash and Olson was immediately up and throwing. An entire infield away is like 125 feet. MLB players make that throw in an instant. Kep had no chance.

 

Ironically, the only people in the league who aren't doubled off on that are probably your pitchers and slow plodders who don't take much of a lead because they aren't going home on anything but the most obvious wild pitch anyway. Any player with any speed at all is too far from the bag. That's just bad luck.

guys get doubled off third on line drives to first all the time?

 

Again, I disagree.

 

And as pointed out above, it wasn't even a strong throw to third, Olson threw from his backside. Cave just screwed up. It shouldn't have happened. Much like the play recently where Buxton got caught tagging and going to third on a fly ball to center, costing the Twins a run (and ultimately the game), I'm quite positive if you could privately ask the player (in this case Cave, not Kep), he'd say, "yeah, I know. Bad play on my part. Won't happen again."

 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I can’t blame Arraez getting picked off in the fifth inning. It happens. Maybe it shouldn’t, but it does. It was looking like a wild pitch—the ball actually got past the catcher—but then took a funny hop off the umpire and stayed near the plate. Arraez was kind of hung out to dry.. and then maybe tried to do a little acting to save face?

 

Also Cave needs to do two things: not step out of the batters box when offering at the pitch, and then just let the pitch hit your leg.

 

These things are going to happen to all teams.

[stringer bell]

Eye test—Sanó doesn’t have great hands, he is more prone to clanks than the average 3B. His reactions are fine and he has a really strong arm, but that doesn’t make up for his hands. He hasn’t made many plays on slow rollers this year, part of that is shifting. Finally, he’s not caught a few pop ups most 3Bs corral easily. Lack of foot speed is part of the reason for that.

[MN_ExPat]

What are you talking about? Guys get picked off on that play all the time. I can remember (but not specifically) the Twins doing it twice this year. It's one thing to say a guy should be more cautious but to say that there's no excuse is laughably ignorant of actual baseball.

 

Taking a normal lead and then moving another 2-3 steps towards home with the pitch means that Kepler is likely 5-6 steps from the bag. That was a hard smash and Olson was immediately up and throwing. An entire infield away is like 125 feet. MLB players make that throw in an instant. Kep had no chance.

 

Ironically, the only people in the league who aren't doubled off on that are probably your pitchers and slow plodders who don't take much of a lead because they aren't going home on anything but the most obvious wild pitch anyway. Any player with any speed at all is too far from the bag. That's just bad luck.

 

You are correct, that was bad luck.

 

However, players are taught to freeze on hard liners though the infield for just that reason. My son’s high school coach looses his mind when they make mental errors like those (and in case anyone might question, he played professionally has won multiple State Titles and was the National HS Coach of the Year in 2018).

[AceWrigley]

 

These just keep getting more and more silly. Come check out some highlights from a great win and have a laugh with me.

 

Excellent Tom. Eddie the Igniter. That PH at bat he looked like he could hardly wait, "throw the freakin' ball, clown." To Arraez defense, I thought the batter was hit by the pitch too.

[Only Here in Negative]

The ball is by the ground, the runner can't see if the ball bounced or not readily. The reaction is to go home, if he hesitates or goes back and its on the ground, its an out without the runner going. Absolutely handled the right way, no way anyone said "My bad" in the dugout. More like "**** happens"