Front Page: Twins Game Recap (7/31): Berrios Throws Gem as Bombas Fly

[AJ Condon]

Jose Berrios continued his dominance and struck out 11 Marlin batters as he threw seven scoreless innings. The Twins’ offense rebounded from their slow night last night and jumped on Sandy Alcantara for seven runs and ran him out of the game before he finished the fifth inning. Sean Poppen blew the shutout with a grand slam, but Rogers shut down their rally.Box Score

Berrios: 7 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 11 K, 69.1% strikes (56 of 81 pitches)

Bullpen: 2 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 5 K

 

Home Runs: Garver (20), Rosario (23), Kepler (29)

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

Top 3 WPA: Garver .241, Berrios .200, Kepler .158

 

Berrios Lights Out

 

Bert Blyleven said before Berrios’ start that he would give him a high-five and a pat on the back if he threw a complete game shutout. He struck out a season-high 11 batters, had a 1-2-3 inning in six out of seven innings he pitched. Unfortunately, he was pulled after just seven innings throwing only 81 pitches.

 

Berrios was perfect through four innings while striking out six of the nine batters he faced. In the fifth, he surrendered two weak-hit balls for singles, but followed it up by getting the next three batters out, one via a strikeout. In the sixth inning, he struck out the side to bring his total up to ten on the night.

 

In his last inning, he picked up his season-high 11th strikeout of the night, but fell short of his career high of 12 after being pulled after just 81 pitches. Berrios was unstoppable on the mound tonight but was pulled before he was able to go for a complete game. Berrios is still deserving of a high-five and a pat on the back after he silenced this Marlins’ team.

 

 

Bomba Squad

 

After an unorthodox night from the Twins’ offense, they pounced on Sandy Alcantara for three home runs and forced him out of the game before he could even finish the fifth inning.

 

Mitch Garver got things going after Jose Berrios battled a leadoff walk which was followed by Max Kepler’s second walk of the day. Garver ended an 0-for-17 streak with a 3-run bomba to capitalize on the leadoff walks. This was just the start of the hitting fun for the Twins tonight.

 

 

Kepler led off the fifth inning with a solo shot for his 29th home run of the year to put him in third in the A.L. lead in home runs.

 

 

The fifth inning wasn’t done for Alcantara, after Garver hit a swinging bunt down the third base line, Eddie Rosario hit the team’s third home run of the game. This was only Eddie’s hit fourth home run since June 5th in 31 games. After a walk and double, Alcantara’s night was done, but another run was surrendered on a Schoop single to add on to his rough night.

 

Poppen Blows Shutout

 

Sean Poppen came in after a stellar performance by Berrios and worked through the eighth inning with ease. The ninth was completely different as he gave up three straight singles to start the inning followed by a grand slam by Brian Anderson to cut the deficit to only three runs. Poppen picked up a strikeout on the following batter before Taylor Rogers came in to close out the game striking out the two batters he faced.

 

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.

 

Click here to view the article

[Aerodeliria]

Good to beat up on these teams with losing records.

 

With that said, there were more Twins thrown out on the bases once again tonight.

 

Too bad about Poppen...it happens. He'll get a chance to ponder at AAA.

[terrydactyls]

Today is Wednesday, July 31, it was the 107th game of the year and the Twins hit 3 home runs giving them a total of 209 home runs for the season.  The Twins are now 66% of the way through the season.  Out of 59 years, the current team ranks 3rd on the all-time list of Twins' home runs in one season and are on a pace to hit 316 home runs this season.  They are now 58 home runs behind the single season MLB record.  The next Twins team to pass is the 1964 team that hit 221 home runs.

[jdoffing11]

Personally, I hated pulling Berrios when Cruz came up to bat, it would've been a signature complete game shutout, his first of the year, but then I softened up a little bit realizing Poppen was going to get sent down after the game anyways. I also thought Rogers was brought in a little quickly. I sort of understand it given our history of bullpen struggles, but at the same time it was a 3 run lead and it is the Marlins. I would've left Poppen in until he let one more guy on base to try and keep Rogers available for tomorrow, unless they were thinking that with him warming up he wouldn't be anyways.

[Patrick Wozniak]

"Bert Blyleven said before Berrios’ start that he would give him a high-five and a pat on the back if he threw a complete game shutout."

Not enough hair left to shave his head?

[big dog]

Twins have won 3 in a row, now just 2 games back of Houston for 2nd best record in the AL.  Let's' keep this going!  I'm feeling a lot better about the bullpen now.  Go Twins.

[Patrick Wozniak]

"Home Runs: Garver (20), Rosario (23), Kepler (29)"

If someone would have told me those would be their season HR totals at the beginning of the season it would have sounded pretty good.  Still a lot of games to add to those totals!

[Don Walcott]

At least we have Romo and Dyson fresh for tomorrow night, if they're needed.

[70charger]

I love what you writers do on these recaps, and I'd also love it if we brought back the game score metric.

 

Berrios was on fire today.

[bighat]

Keep racking up these wins against bad teams. Let's get the sweep tomorrow gang!

 

That Rosario HR was just awesome to watch, highlight of the game IMO. Go Twins.

[AZTwin]

"Home Runs: Garver (20), Rosario (23), Kepler (29)"

If someone would have told me those would be their season HR totals at the beginning of the season it would have sounded pretty good. Still a lot of games to add to those totals!

Kepler has a good chance to get to 40. I remember when Yelich was with the Marlins, someone on here said Kepler projected similarly to Yelich. Last year when Yelich exploded I thought to myself that I wish that were true. Is he finally starting to break out? He is going to be special

[Mr. Brooks]

Personally, I hated pulling Berrios when Cruz came up to bat, it would've been a signature complete game shutout, his first of the year, but then I softened up a little bit realizing Poppen was going to get sent down after the game anyways. I also thought Rogers was brought in a little quickly. I sort of understand it given our history of bullpen struggles, but at the same time it was a 3 run lead and it is the Marlins. I would've left Poppen in until he let one more guy on base to try and keep Rogers available for tomorrow, unless they were thinking that with him warming up he wouldn't be anyways.

He put himself in a situation where he pretty much had to bring in Rogers. You can't blow that lead to that team.

 

His mistake was allowing Poppen to let them within 3 runs in the first place.

[jdoffing11]

 

He put himself in a situation where he pretty much had to bring in Rogers. You can't blow that lead to that team.

His mistake was allowing Poppen to let them within 3 runs in the first place.

You're not pulling a reliever you intended to finish the game with a 7 run lead. In case you forgot, all 4 runs scored at once. The lead went from 7 to 3 with one pitch. Poppen then got the next guy out while Rogers was warming which is why I say at least give him a leash of one more baserunner before you pull him, which would've given the entire bullpen an offday considering he'll be the one to go down to Rochester tonight. Having Dyson for tomorrow helps, but now you're likely without Rogers.

[jimbo92107]

A little off topic, but I have noticed something interesting about when plate umpires blow calls on balls and strikes. Often it appears that, if you draw an imaginary line from the ump's face to the area of the strike zone where they miss a call, you'll notice that the catcher's head is blocking the umpire's view of the spot where the ball crosses the zone...or misses the zone. This would mean that umps are blowing calls literally because they cannot see where the ball is at the instant it needs to be seen. 

 

If this is true, or even mostly true, then it suggests a different solution than robo ump. Instead of removing human umpires, maybe we need to augment their vision, perhaps with a head's up display of the ball's path, drawn by a computer.

[Dantes929]

 

He put himself in a situation where he pretty much had to bring in Rogers. You can't blow that lead to that team.

His mistake was allowing Poppen to let them within 3 runs in the first place.

I was fine with leaving him in.   All 4 of those guys earned their way on base.   #1 rule with that kind of lead is to make them earn it by not walking guys and that is what Poppen did.   He had a clean 8th inning and struck out 2 of the 3.  He also struck out the first guy after the slam so its not like he didn't have stuff.   He could have finished the igame but I think Rogers was warmed up anyway so why not bring him in.

[BINGBONG69]

Like to know what Rocco was thinking pulling Berrios. How do you not let him go for the complete game shutout when he's only thrown 81 pitches and given up 2 hits through 7?

[Danchat]

 

Like to know what Rocco was thinking pulling Berrios. How do you not let him go for the complete game shutout when he's only thrown 81 pitches and given up 2 hits through 7?

I would guess the thought process is that they don't want him throwing innings than he absolutely needs to. The less wear and tear on his arm before the postseason, the better. It also gave the Twins another look at Poppen... and now we know he needs to be shipped to AAA.

 

I would have liked to seen him throwing a full game shutout too, but I understand it if Baldelli's doing this to keep Berrios maintained for October.

[jimbo92107]

 

"Home Runs: Garver (20), Rosario (23), Kepler (29)"

If someone would have told me those would be their season HR totals at the beginning of the season it would have sounded pretty good.  Still a lot of games to add to those totals!

Also consider that Garver has batted in less than half the games, and Rosario was on the IL for almost a month. Kepler has gotten the most At Bats by far of those three. Definitely has a shot at well over 40 dingers. 

[h2oface]

 

I would guess the thought process is that they don't want him throwing innings than he absolutely needs to. The less wear and tear on his arm before the postseason, the better. It also gave the Twins another look at Poppen... and now we know he needs to be shipped to AAA.

 

I would have liked to seen him throwing a full game shutout too, but I understand it if Baldelli's doing this to keep Berrios maintained for October.

 

Yup. That was what he was doing. Or at least, thinking he was doing. I still don't like it. Then Baldelli taxes Rogers arm. No regard for Rogers? It could also mean Berrios is not building the stamina he will need as a long term "ace". Do you think Verlander is letting you pull him at that point? Not without an annimated argument. The interview with Baldelli starts with the interviewer saying Berrios said he was tired, and they talked about it a bit later. Maybe that was it. 

 

I miss pitchers being studs and pitching complete games. They seem to be being taught that it is isn't something they should want to do.

[twinsfanstreif]

"Home Runs: Garver (20), Rosario (23), Kepler (29)"

If someone would have told me those would be their season HR totals at the beginning of the season it would have sounded pretty good. Still a lot of games to add to those totals!

For the 30 year period from 1988-2018 we have only had 8 seasons (from 5 players, only Morneau and Dozier did it more than once) with 30+ HRs, that included a 19 year drought from 88-06. This year we are on pace to have 4 with 4 more guys who are projected to be close. Crazy how quickly things can change!

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

"Home Runs: Garver (20), Rosario (23), Kepler (29)"

If someone would have told me those would be their season HR totals at the beginning of the season it would have sounded pretty good.  Still a lot of games to add to those totals!

It wasn't that long ago (2006) when Morneau crossed the 30 mark and was the first Twins planer in decades to do it... all of these guys and then some may cross that number this year. 

[stringer bell]

I don’t think it was necessary to pull Berríos, but this isn’t just about one player. There was an opportunity for a free look at Poppen,and a chance to give Cruz a pinch-hit at bat.

 

The circumstances, including the grand slam (first pitch?) required that Poppen face another hitter after the slam. The end result is that Berríos didn’t get a CG, Rogers got used on consecutive days and didn’t get a save. However, the team won and Rogers only threw about 10 pitches. Hopefully Dyson or Romo close out the win today and all is well after today’s game.

[bighat]

 

I would guess the thought process is that they don't want him throwing innings than he absolutely needs to. The less wear and tear on his arm before the postseason, the better. It also gave the Twins another look at Poppen... and now we know he needs to be shipped to AAA.

 

I would have liked to seen him throwing a full game shutout too, but I understand it if Baldelli's doing this to keep Berrios maintained for October.

 

Yeah. And I'm totally fine with that.

 

Twins have won 5 of their last 6 games. Berrios looked great last night, and Rocco saved some wear and tear on his arm. Bringing in Rogers maybe was a bit hasty, but with Romo and now Dyson on board he'll be able to rest more often moving forward.

[wabene]

Lots of concern that Berrios got pulled after eighty some pitches. Even LEN3 got into the act over at the Strib. What does a complete game shutout have to do with the Twins winning a championship? Over the years (well a while ago) we watched as the Twins seemed to have nothing left once the post season finally got started. Justin Morneau had said he thinks he went too hard during the season and was gassed at the end. Let's see how these new methods pan out this year. I don't care about individual stats or achievements.

[Mr. Brooks]

Lots of concern that Berrios got pulled after eighty some pitches. Even LEN3 got into the act over at the Strib. What does a complete game shutout have to do with the Twins winning a championship? Over the years (well a while ago) we watched as the Twins seemed to have nothing left once the post season finally got started. Justin Morneau had said he thinks he went too hard during the season and was gassed at the end. Let's see how these new methods pan out this year. I don't care about individual stats or achievements.

I agree. However, the domino effect was that Taylor Rogers had to be used on consecutive days, in what was once a 7 run game.

Are we not worried about Rogers getting gassed?

 

I understand that Rocco didn't plan it that way, but as we saw in the Yankees series, no lead is safe once it's turned over to the bullpen.

[wabene]

I agree. However, the domino effect was that Taylor Rogers had to be used on consecutive days, in what was once a 7 run game.

Are we not worried about Rogers getting gassed?

I understand that Rocco didn't plan it that way, but as we saw in the Yankees series, no lead is safe once it's turned over to the bullpen.

I was listening in the car and when I heard Rogers was up I didn't like it. Maybe another batter for poppen or use somebody else. It is true that we have other options for tomorrow now.

[wsnydes]

 

I agree. However, the domino effect was that Taylor Rogers had to be used on consecutive days, in what was once a 7 run game.
Are we not worried about Rogers getting gassed?

I understand that Rocco didn't plan it that way, but as we saw in the Yankees series, no lead is safe once it's turned over to the bullpen.

Romo and Dyson should reduce the need to use Rogers as often. 

 

And Rogers has only thrown 23 pitches this week. All in the last two days. 

Edited August 1, 2019 by wsnydes

[twinsfanstreif]

Pulling Berrios early shows a completely different mentality than years past and most of baseball is now embracing it. It's putting less emphasis on individual statistics and achievements and more thought into rest and post season longevity. Welcome to the new generation of players and coaches, It's quite refreshing really

[ashbury]

Crazy how quickly things can change!

Quickly!? The rebuild began in earnest after the 2012 season. Eddie Rosario reached AAA in 2015, Max Kepler and Mitch Garver and Miguel Sano reached AAA in 2016, so that we could begin the anticipation countdown for 30-HR power soon. Things have taken FOREVER to change.

[Sssuperdave]

Amazing the difference a 3 game win streak can make.

 

• The Twins pulled out a winning month of July at 13-11.  Their record has been above .500 every month in 2019.
• The Twins are now 2 games behind the Astros and Yankees for top record in the AL, and Cleveland is 3 games behind the Twins.  So, they are closer to having the best record in the AL than they are to 2nd place in their division.
• The Twins are now 25 games above .500, which is their high water mark.