Front Page: Twins Game Recap (8/1): Dyson Implodes In Twins Debut

[Andrew Thares]

It seemed as though the Twins were sailing, on their way to their first series sweep since late May. They had a 4-1 lead entering the bottom of the ninth, with freshly acquired Sam Dyson coming onto the mound for what appeared was going to be an easy save against one of the worst hitting teams in the major leagues. That wasn’t the case, and when all was said and done, it was the Marlins who walked away with the victory.Box Score

Pineda: 6.0 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 72.5% strikes (58 of 80 pitches)

Home Runs: Kepler (30)

Multi-Hit Games: Kepler (2 for 6, HR), Buxton (2 for 5)

WPA of +0.1: Buxton .249, Pineda .175, Harper .123,

WPA of -0.1: Dyson -.448, -.254,

 

Max Kepler gave the Twins a quick 1-0 lead, blasting the fourth pitch of the game over the fence in right field. It was already Kepler’s 30th home run of the season, 10 more than his previous career high he set last year.

 

 

The Marlins were able to get that run back thanks to an RBI-triple from Miami outfielder Harold Ramirez. Byron Buxton gave it his best effort tracking the ball down in the right-centerfield gap, but it was just out of his reach. Michael Pineda did do a good job of preventing the Marlins from adding any more runs, as he got Cesar Puello to strike out, followed by an intentional walk of Bryan Holaday, to bring up Marlins pitcher Jordan Yamamoto, who Pineda got to ground out to end the inning.

 

The Twins used some clever managing to help them put up a crooked inning in the top of the fourth. Eddie Rosario led off the inning with a strikeout, before Miguel Sano lined a double to left-field. That was followed by a Jason Castro strikeout and an Ehrie Adrianza hit-by-pitch. Here is where the clever move by Rocco Baldelli came into play. With two-outs and two runners on base, and the pitcher’s spot on deck, this was a prime situation for the Marlins to intentionally walk Byron Buxton. However, Baldelli sent Mitch Garver into the on-deck circle to signify that he was going to hit for Michale Pineda, even though it was only the fourth inning. The strategy worked, as the Marlins decided to pitch to Buxton, who promptly pulled a double that caught the chalk down the third base line, bringing both Sano and Adrianza around to score.

 

Some great base running by Luis Arraez helped the Twins extend their lead in the top of the fifth. After reaching base with a one-out single, Arraez advanced to third on some gutsy base running after Jorge Polanco lined a hit to left field. Arraez then came in to score the Twins' fourth run of the game on a sac-fly from Eddie Rosario.

 

Michael Pineda finished off yet another quality start today, after going six-innings and giving up just the one run in the second. Dating back to the beginning of May, Pineda has a 3.48 ERA across 88 innings pitched. Over that time he has 10 quality starts, and has gone at least five innings while allowing three ER or less in 14 of those 15 starts.

 

Things were going as planned for the Twins through the later innings. Both Tyler Duffey and Sergio Romo worked scoreless innings, keeping the Twins lead of 4-1 heading into the bottom of the ninth. With Taylor Rogers having pitched in each of the last two ballgames, Rocco Baldelli was trying to avoid using him for the third day in a row to pick up the save. Instead, he chose to go with brand new Minnesota Twin, Sam Dyson, who had just arrived in at the ballpark about an hour or so after the game had started. Dyson came in, and proceeded to go walk, single, double, walk. Baldelli quickly got Rogers up and loose. He had to come in and protect what was now a two-run lead, with the bases loaded and nobody out. After Neil Walker singled up the middle to tie the game, Rogers was in even deeper trouble. However, Rogers did exactly what a relief ace is supposed to do and struck out the side to send the game to extra innings.

 

The Twins hitters went dead quiet in extra innings, as not a single batter reached base in the 10th, 11th or 12th innings. Max Kepler put up a great 14 pitch at-bat in the 12th, and hit a deep drive into corner in right, but it was not enough, as it was caught on the warning track. This inability to get some big hits in extra innings came back to bite them, as Harold Ramirez connected on a Cody Stashak fastball to lead off the bottom of 12th and just like that the game was over.

 

Bullpen Usage

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

 

Next Three Games

Fri vs KC, 7:10 pm CT (Sparkman-Perez)

Sat vs KC, 6:10 pm CT (Duffey-Gibson)

Sun vs KC, 1:10 pm CT (Keller-Odorizzi)

 

Last Game

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

 

Click here to view the article

[USAFChief]

gut punch.

 

lots of blame to go around. Offense. Dyson. Poppen last night. Dyson. Baldelli's decision to use Dyson fresh off the plane. Dyson. A bullpen that features waaayyyyy too many "internal options." 

 

 

 

 

[PDX Twin]

As I said in another thread (but didn't intend to be prophetic): We don't sweep anymore; we've got a Dyson.

[Alex Schieferdecker]

Simply bizarre bullpen management from Rocco, dating back to last night. 

 

Getting Rogers warmed up with a seven run lead was odd. Using him with a three run lead, one out, and bases clear was also odd. Even when Poppen got into trouble, there was nothing that Harper or Thorpe couldn't have fixed.

 

Then pulling Pineda today, when he was pitching well and the game was much closer, was taking the wrong lesson from the previous night. It was fine to rest Berrios, because a seven run lead is very secure. I'd have preferred to see Pineda pitch a seventh inning if he's cruising, because a three run lead is far less guaranteed. Finally, using Dyson today, fresh off the plane, when Harper, Thorpe, or May were rested just doesn't make any sense. Let the guy get settled. Just because the Twins acquired Romo and Dyson doesn't mean that the previous relievers can't get the job done for you.

 

Obviously it all completely backfired. Not only did the Twins take a completely unnecessary loss, but they managed to get Rogers completely ruled out for a couple games, and use Dyson and Harper unnecessarily. What was a rested bullpen is now one that probably needs some help again. What I liked about how Rocco managed at the start of the year was that he was willing to put a bunch of different relievers in big spots. Obviously as we get down to the end of the season, that was going to tighten, but now it seems as though we've gone all the way to the other extreme, where if there's any trouble at all, Rogers is the only option.

 

I expect we'll see Stashak and Poppen head back to Rochester, while Zack Littell returns to the team. Hopefully the Twins can have a no-doubter against Kansas City tomorrow night and maybe let Thorpe mop the game up. But if it doesn't happen that way, Rocco's mistakes yesterday and today have really made things difficult. Should've been a sweep.

[Bomba2026]

Can we return Dyson because he is too much competition with May? And then they dump the Gatorade bucket on the interview lady....Glad to leave Miami. And Twins, please leave the starter out for 8 innings ...

[crapforks]

I assumed Dyson wouldn’t pitch today. Imagine if he hadn’t and Harper or May gave up those runs. This board would have called for Baldelli’s head for not using him.

Doesn’t it seem out of character for Baldelli to bring him in?

[USAFChief]

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with removing Pineda when he did. Pineda had been giving up hard contact all game, and was due up to hit. I think every manager in baseball removes him for a pinch hitter there.

 

Yesterday and today's pen management is open to some scrutiny, for sure. 

[mickey]

It makes absolutely no sense to bring a guy in to the game, who only a few hours earlier, arrived in the American league. The guy hadn't met all the players on the team yet. There's no way he could've prepared for any of the Marlin's hitters.  To bring him into a save situation, in a critical game was asinine.  If the Twins had been winning by 13 runs, that would be a different story.  If the Twins had no other bullpen choices, that would be a different situation.  But it was a legitimate save opportunity. Up by just 3, and coming off of a grand slam in the 9th inning the night before, you'd think the Twins would have cared about winning first and foremost.  At least more than whatever it was that was going through their mind that allowed them to insert this brand new arrival directly into the lineup.  His uniform probably didn't fit. He may have still had his street socks on.  

 

It's not like Taylor Rogers was unavailable. He came into the game anyways.  On one hand, Baldelli acts like the game is meaningless, then on the other hand, he's willing to use all players in an effort to win.  Now, rather than having an easy 3 game sweep, a rested bullpen, and a very positive feeling, he's got a loss, a tired bullpen and a bad vibe for everyone, going into the next series against a team that was resting all day today.

 

There's not even enough room in this forum to properly detail all the giant mistakes that Baldelli made in just innings 7-9.  He's not an unfit manager, he just doesn't know what he's doing.  When the Twins are winning big, it won't matter much, but when they're losing, or it's a close game, his inexperience and bad judgment will come to the forefront.  

[akmanak]

Tough loss and I dont blame Rocco for using Dyson, but I just don't think he should of been used in the 9th.

[twinsfanstreif]

really hard to blame Dyson for this one, dude wasn't even at the ballpark when the game started. He never should've been put in that position, that's on Rocco.

[MMMordabito]

Nice pickup ... Could have just used Andrew Vasquez and been in the same position

[USAFChief]

By the way, did the Twins put Trevor May in the Witness Protection Program or something? 

[Dakota15]

That's certainly one way for Dyson to make a first impression with his new team

[twinsnorth49]

Dyson's just getting out of the cab and Baldelli throws him in for the 9th.

 

Good Grief Rocco, c'mon. 

[Dantes929]

I just laugh.   The guy we already had pitches a scoreless 10th.   Another guy we already had pitched a scoreless 11th.   If we didn't have Romo and Dyson maybe Rogers isn't used last night.   After all Poppen was throwing strikes and striking guys out.   So if we don't make moves to improve our bullpen we might already have another win.    Its not just about who gives up runs and how many its about when.   A guy that has a 4 ERA that pitches one inning at a time gives up 1 more run every 9 appearances than the guy with a 3 ERA.  As we just saw the guy that gives up the 4 runs every 9 innings might not cost us a game in 9 appearances whereas the guy that gives up 3 might cost us.   Its why I don't think this bullpen has cost us the multiple games everyone thinks it has.  Its been ugly but effective for the most part.  Everyone gives up runs.  Ron Davis might have gotten Kirk Gibson out when HOFer Dennis Eckersley did not.   Dyson and Romo will likely pay off but everyone gives up runs.

[Dantes929]

 

By the way, did the Twins put Trevor May in the Witness Protection Program or something? 

I've been wondering about that.  He's pitched once in the last 10 games and that one was scoreless.

[yarnivek1972]

Tough loss and I dont blame Rocco for using Dyson, but I just don't think he should of been used in the 9th.

He may not have even been in the ballpark in time to pitch the 7th or 8th.

[akmanak]

He may not have even been in the ballpark in time to pitch the 7th or 8th.

If this is true than he should not have been used anyhow. We had rested arms and it is clear that Rocco knew Rodgers could pitch since he used him to bail Dyson out.

[Platoon]

By the way, did the Twins put Trevor May in the Witness Protection Program or something?

Nope. I saw him with Elvis and Jimmy Hoffa in a Wal Mart just last night. On a more serious note, while I can't necessarily define Rocco's managerial faults to a T, it seems in general that he panics a little. His cool facade isn't backed up by his moves. I know Rogers is his big, maybe only gun, but he should leave it in his holster more often. Last night was the genisis for this loss today. It's not even that he "burns" him out, it's that he uses him unnecessarily, and then has to limit him later. And one last BTW, if our ASG SS had left his feet and knocked that GB down, this may not have happened. Terrible game awareness.

[MNT1996]

For the love of God stop taking starting pitchers out when they're cruising along and they have 80-85 pitches thrown. Pineda. 80 pitches thrown and was cruising...taken out after the 6th. Berrios last night. 81 pitches thrown and was strong through 7...taken out and the guy in the pen gives up a grand slam. Stop babying these guys. 

[Doomtints]

I think this is the fifth or sixth loss that can be directly pegged on Baldelli, albeit the first in a while.

[Vanimal46]

 

Sam Dyson is a grown ass man who I'm sure is very capable of jumping on a plane and pitching the same day... My God. It's just a bad game. It wasn't a managerial failure, they didn't put him in an impossible circumstance.

[Tjolson]

 

And one last BTW, if our ASG SS had left his feet and knocked that GB down, this may not have happened. Terrible game awareness.

 

Saw the recap and completely agree. Why are we not at double-play depth in that situation?

 

It wasn't a basic fundamental play, but maybe half a step up from basic fundamentals. Need to get that shored up team-wide for the last third of the season.

[terrydactyls]

Today is Thursday, August 1.  It was the 108th game of the year putting the Twins 67% of the way through the season.   The Twins hit 1 home run giving them a total of 210 home runs for the season and on a pace to hit 315 home runs this season.    The 2019 Twins rank 3rd on the all-time list of Twins' home runs in one season.   They are now only 15 home runs away from becoming the Twins single-season record holder and are only 57 home runs behind the single-season MLB record.  The next Twins team to pass is the 1964 team that hit 221 home runs.

[Bandit34]

I believe this is one of the reasons why there is more scoring in today's game. Years ago, when the manager seen that his starter had GREAT STUFF he left him in until he got in trouble. Now, managers take out their pitchers for no particular reason at all. 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

How about a fine every time a pitcher walks the lead-off batter. Say $500. That may help stop these stupid lead-off walks. 

[Vanimal46]

I believe this is one of the reasons why there is more scoring in today's game. Years ago, when the manager seen that his starter had GREAT STUFF he left him in until he got in trouble. Now, managers take out their pitchers for no particular reason at all.

Definitely that... And the juiced baseballs.

[Squirrel]

 

Sam Dyson is a grown ass man who I'm sure is very capable of jumping on a plane and pitching the same day... My God. It's just a bad game. It wasn't a managerial failure, they didn't put him in an impossible circumstance.

It can't be a little of both? Or second guessing on everyone's part?

[Shaitan]

At least it wasn't that H. Ramirez for the winning HR. You had me afraid reading the chart.

[Mr. Brooks]

I'm glad someone brought up Polanco.

He's certainly done enough this year to earn a mulligan from me.

And there is certainly plenty of blame to go around today (Hello bats, just because you assumed the game was over when you handed Dyson a 3 run lead with 3 outs to go, doesn't mean you pack away the bats), but if Polanco wasn't afraid of getting his uniform dirty we might have held on in the 9th.