Front Page: Twins Game Recap (8/5): May Throws Fire, Sano Launches a Walk-Off Bomb in Twins Win

[Nate Palmer]

With both the Minnesota Twins and the Atlanta Braves owning first place in their respective divisions, Monday night’s opening game of a three-game series brought back plenty of memories of the 1991 World Series. So much so that Dick Bremer brought to the booth his cufflinks from that World Series-winning season. At least for tonight we saw the same result as in ‘91 as the Twins won in walk-off fashion, 5-3.Box Score

Jake Odorizzi: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K, 60.6% strikes (66 of 109 pitches)

Bullpen: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

 

Home Runs: Max Kepler (31), Miguel Sano (19)

Multi-Hit Games: Luis Arraez (2-for-4)

 

Top 3 WPA: Sano (.433), May (.255), Odorizzi (.247)

Bottom 3 WPA: Duffey (-.131), Cave (-.093), Harper (-.089)

 

Odorizzi started the game with two straight strikeouts giving the impression early on that being pushed back a day in favor of Devin Smeltzer on Sunday might pay off in big ways for the Twins. Although quickly the walks started to pile up and so did the pitch count causing everyone to wonder how long the starter would last.

 

While Odrizzi’s pitch count piled up, for the other side Mike Soroka was dealing to start the game, flying perfectly through the Twins lineup the first time through. Soroka came into the game with the lowest home run rate by a starter. And it took the most anti-Bomba way for the Bomba squad to get a hit and eventually score.

 

In the fourth inning recent Bomba leader Nelson Cruz reached on an infield hit with two outs, followed by an outfield hit by Eddie Rosario, and another infield hit by Marwin Gonzalez. It was then none other than rookie Luis Arraez who slapped a hit to left field to score Cruz and Rosario to put the Twins up 2-0.

 

Freddie Freeman and Max Kepler traded home runs bringing the game to 3-1 score. Then a defensively sloppy seventh inning resulted in Acuna reaching, advancing to second on a passed ball, and scoring on a ball that got past Jake Cave in the outfield. Then an RBI single by Josh Donaldson tied the game at 3-3 midway through the seventh.

 

Then in the eighth and ninth innings Trevor May slammed the door shut on the Braves with straight heat as he hit 99.8 mph on the gun. All of which set the stage for Miguel Sano. With two outs and Arraez standing on first Sano hit his 19th home run to center field that was such a no doubter Acuna was running to the visitors dugout before it even landed.

 

 

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

[jimbo92107]

I like how the game chart suddenly jumps upwards and hits the ceiling, kind of like Sano's launch angle.

[Riverbrian]

I didn't read the article. I just went to the Sano video and played it over and over again. 

[terrydactyls]

Yesterday was Monday, August 5.  It was the 112nd game of the year putting the Twins 69% of the way through the season.   The Twins hit 2 home runs giving them a total of 219 home runs for the season and on a pace to hit 317 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 7 home runs away from becoming the Twins single-season record holder and are only 48 home runs behind the single-season MLB record.  The next Twins team to pass is the 1964 team that hit 221 home runs.

[ashbury]

A hearty thanks to Mr Acuña for a very classy reaction to that home run. Little things like that make a memorable game stick in your mind.

[Squirrel]

 

I didn't read the article. I just went to the Sano video and played it over and over again. 

Heh, me, too

[Monticore]

Always liked Sano. Great job by May. Arreaz is a keeper.

[railmarshalljon]

Aaand we'llseeyou...  tomorrownight! (also the following afternoon)

[LA_NorthStar]

Every win without Buxton feels like house money. Somebody needs to tell Jake Cave to quit trying be a hero out in the field. Don't need to replace Byron, just play clean baseball. 

[DocBauer]

Couldn't join the thread tonight but wish I could have. Great game! Odorizzi was quality, May started to look like the guy want him to be think he could be and seemed to be flashing again before that recent bad stretch. (Harper didn't have it tonight, but it happens). The offense did a little bit of everything, including Sano's amazing BOMBA.

 

The BA is still a little low, of course but Sano had built a bit of a hole for himself in that regard. But he has been looking like a very different player after that truly ugly stretch he had in June. I sure hope some of the doubts and bashing are beginning to fall away. Sure seems like they have.

 

Oh, BTW, the Twins are a very, very good baseball team.

[rghrbek]

Not having Buck for 2-3 weeks (not sure on time) hurts in the field, despite Kepler being adequate in CF, but adding Jake Cave in RF maximizes his absence and is a clear negative.  Add in his futility this year at the plate, and that is a week spot.

 

Guessing we see Marwin there the next two games.

 

Big win.  Big bomb.

[MNT1996]

Sano, May, Arraez = Good

Cave = Bad

 

I'm getting sick of seeing Cave in the outfield. Bring up De Aza. 

[David HK]

I sometimes check out the oppo team's sbn board, just to see how their fans are reacting- and maybe, just maybe, for a little chuckle of schadenfreude. 

 

True to form. Of course, just like folks we know (and are), they're kvetching about their recent bullpen acquisitions not paying off, and I got another chortle about one fan's musing that Twins fans must also be cursing their bullpen for giving up the lead. (True dat).

 

But one thing that I appreciate so much about this board- once Arraez got that bloop, F-bombs everywhere, and after the Sano blast, some of them started personally sniping at each other, going so far as to cut and paste weeks-old posts to rub stuff in someone's face. 

 

I look at this place as one refuge where fans can bitch and moan and celebrate together-without resorting to personal beefs, and keyboard warriors are not something we have to deal with. (That's what twitter's for). My kudos to the admin's, and to the people on this board itself.

 

I gotta say, these past few days-- my country is grieving and tearing itself apart, and Hong Kong where I live, is literally tearing itself apart. It's incredibly scary here right now; yesterday and last night were some of the worst hours of my life. I needed this couple hours of respite for my very soul today. I'm happy for the Twins win. And I'm happy to share it with folks like you.

 

Thanks.

 

[VivaBomboRivera!]

"I look at this place as one refuge where fans can bitch and moan and celebrate together-without resorting to personal beefs, and keyboard warriors are not something we have to deal with. (That's what twitter's for). My kudos to the admin's, and to the people on this board itself.

 

I gotta say, these past few days-- my country is grieving and tearing itself apart, and Hong Kong where I live, is literally tearing itself apart. It's incredibly scary here right now; yesterday and last night were some of the worst hours of my life. I needed this couple hours of respite for my very soul today. I'm happy for the Twins win. And I'm happy to share it with folks like you."

 

Minnesota nice.  Hong Kong strong.

 

Mandatory baseball content:

Happy with the outcome.

Our staff allows 4 walks, at least one was a lead-off (thankfully erased in DP).  Theirs?  1.

Mark my words - This team's post-season hopes will be made or lost on the staff's (both starters and relievers) ability to throw more first-pitch strikes.  They must play up to the level the team's offense deserves.

 

Repeat - Happy with the outcome.  "Let it Sano."

 

[jokin]

 

I didn't read the article. I just went to the Sano video and played it over and over again. 

 

I'm looping both Sano and May videos. It sure beats watching Sano flail and strike out for the umpteenth time on a ball in the dirt with the winning run on base- or watching May walk the #8 and #9 hitters and forced to groove pitches to top-of-the-order opponent hitters- to the point that he has been in pitcher purgatory for most of the last month.

 

Two of this season's biggest up-and-down whipping boys actually stepped up and carried the team across the finish line to an unlikely victory. If these two key cogs have truly turned the corner and consistently get it done in the late innings, this team suddenly gets 25% more dangerous heading towards the playoffs.

 

One of the top 10 games this year.

Edited August 6, 2019 by jokin

[ScooterDance]

My cousin was at the game tonight. She was gifted two seats above the visitors dugout by a random stranger. This is the second time this has happened. First, wtf.

Second, she sent me a video she took of the Sano BOMBA. It was loudAF. Amazing.

[twins_89]

This might be Cave's last chance to show something with the Twins. He really needs to start being a productive player as Rooker is probably ready for a call up, with Kirilloff/Larnach not far behind. 

[jokin]

 

This might be Cave's last chance to show something with the Twins. He really needs to start being a productive player as Rooker is probably ready for a call up, with Kirilloff/Larnach not far behind. 

 

Rooker hasn't played in 3 weeks, gonna take some time to get in a groove once he's healthy enough to take the field again.

[twins_89]

 

Rooker hasn't played in 3 weeks, gonna take some time to get in a groove once he's healthy enough to take the field again.

 

That's why I suspect this is Cave's last chance. If Rooker were healthy now I suspect he would be on a pretty short leash. With Rooker out, he basically has until he gets back to make his case.

Edited August 6, 2019 by twins_89

[cmoss84]

My cousin was at the game tonight. She was gifted two seats above the visitors dugout by a random stranger. This is the second time this has happened. First, wtf.

Second, she sent me a video she took of the Sano BOMBA. It was loudAF. Amazing.

Please share!

[yarnivek1972]

This might be Cave's last chance to show something with the Twins. He really needs to start being a productive player as Rooker is probably ready for a call up, with Kirilloff/Larnach not far behind.

The Twins aren’t going to call up Rooker to have him be a bench player.

[terrydactyls]

The Jaylin Davis trade must have made Cave very happy.  If not for it, Cave might still be in AAA and Davis in right field for the Twins.

[rdehring]

 

I sometimes check out the oppo team's sbn board, just to see how their fans are reacting- and maybe, just maybe, for a little chuckle of schadenfreude. 

 

True to form. Of course, just like folks we know (and are), they're kvetching about their recent bullpen acquisitions not paying off, and I got another chortle about one fan's musing that Twins fans must also be cursing their bullpen for giving up the lead. (True dat).

 

But one thing that I appreciate so much about this board- once Arraez got that bloop, F-bombs everywhere, and after the Sano blast, some of them started personally sniping at each other, going so far as to cut and paste weeks-old posts to rub stuff in someone's face. 

 

I look at this place as one refuge where fans can bitch and moan and celebrate together-without resorting to personal beefs, and keyboard warriors are not something we have to deal with. (That's what twitter's for). My kudos to the admin's, and to the people on this board itself.

 

I gotta say, these past few days-- my country is grieving and tearing itself apart, and Hong Kong where I live, is literally tearing itself apart. It's incredibly scary here right now; yesterday and last night were some of the worst hours of my life. I needed this couple hours of respite for my very soul today. I'm happy for the Twins win. And I'm happy to share it with folks like you.

 

Thanks.

Stay strong fellow Twins fan.

[rdehring]

 

This might be Cave's last chance to show something with the Twins. He really needs to start being a productive player as Rooker is probably ready for a call up, with Kirilloff/Larnach not far behind. 

 

If memory serves, Rooker doesn't have to be added to the 40-man this fall.  Really doubt we would see him unless he returns both soon and ripping the cover off the ball.  

[Otto von Ballpark]

If memory serves, Rooker doesn't have to be added to the 40-man this fall. Really doubt we would see him unless he returns both soon and ripping the cover off the ball.

Correct. Rooker isn't Rule 5 eligible until after 2020. Now, he's old enough and close enough that I don't necessarily think they will wait that long, but obviously an injury has delayed him. Even if he comes back in August, he might be due for a bit of an adjustment period if promoted to MLB. Perhaps we'll have a big enough lead in September to check him out, for potential postseason inclusion?

[goulik]

A healthy Luke Raley would probably be up before a healthy Rooker but unfortunately he’s on the IL also. We might also see LaMonte Wade again for defensive purposes, again if he wasn’t on the IL....

Edited August 6, 2019 by goulik

[AZTwin]

The sound off Sanos bat was something you don’t hear too often. That was absolutely smoked

[TFRazor]

 

The sound off Sanos bat was something you don’t hear too often. That was absolutely smoked

Yeah he got all barrell on that. It just went crack and that ball was gone

[Blake]

 

I didn't read the article. I just went to the Sano video and played it over and over again. 

There's an article?

[Riverbrian]

The Twins aren’t going to call up Rooker to have him be a bench player.

If we have bench players this would be a concern.

 

Baldelli plays everyone so I don’t see a concern.