Front Page: Twins Game Recap (8/14): Twins Can’t Sweep, Polanco Commits Costly Error

[AJ Condon]

The Twins looked like they were going to pick up a sweep against the Brewers, but got a taste of their own medicine from last night. Trent Grisham hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the eighth to give the Brewers their first lead of the game. The Twins offense got going early, but fell silent in the second half of the game. Gibson struggled with his control but was able to minimize the damage as the Twins failed to extend their lead as the Indians lost earlier today.Box Score

Gibson: 5 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 59.8 % strikes (55 of 92 pitches)

Bullpen: 3 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K

 

Home Runs: Sano (21), Garver (23), Rosario (26)

Multi-Hit Games: None

Top 3 WPA: Sano .114, Rosario .155, Polanco .157

Bottom 3 WPA: Garver -.136 Cron -.199, Romo -.685

 

After a back and forth first five innings, things quieted down for the most part for the next three innings. The Brewers made Sam Dyson and Trevor May work for their three outs, but each got away while facing four batters. Sergio Romo was given the eighth inning and saw the lead wash away.

 

On a routine ground ball to Jorge Polanco, Polanco committed his second error of the game, and third of the series. After a weak ground ball up the middle, the Brewers had a big threat late with runners on the corners with no outs. Last night the Twins got a big three-run homer, tonight it was the Brewers.

 

Rookie Trent Grisham hit just his second home run of his career, but it was crucial for the Brewers in today’s game as they are contending for a wild card spot right now. This put the Brewers up 5-4 going into the ninth.

 

Twins Offense Strikes Early; Goes Quiet

 

Mitch Garver took the place for Max Kepler in the leadoff spot today as lefty Gio Gonzalez was on the mound for the Brewers. GarvSauce got the action going as he led off the game with a solo shot to right. After two strikeouts followed, Eddie Rosario hit another oppo shot for his 100th career home run.

 

 

After a quiet second inning, Miguel Sano hit the third bomba of the day in just three innings. Sano blasted the shot to left-center field for a SanoDoubter to extend the lead back to two.

 

 

The Brewers answered again to bring the score to 3-2, but the Twins opened it right back up. Kepler drew his second walk of the game. That was followed by a double for Schoop bringing Gibson up to bat with runners on second and third with one out. Gibson showed great patience at the plate drawing a full-count walk to load the bases.

 

Bases loaded, the Twins kryptonite so far this year. Gonzalez picked up a huge strikeout against Garver for the second out of the inning. However, Polanco had no intentions of letting this opportunity go to waste as he ripped a two-RBI single to extend the Twins lead to 5-2 and ending Gio Gonzalez’s day.

 

After scoring five runs in the first four innings, the Twins offense really quieted down during the second half of the game. Between the fifth and the ninth, the Twins got just one runner in scoring position when Ehire Adrianza pinch hit for Gibson and got a triple. Garver followed that with a line drive straight to third base, and Adrianza was doubled off.

 

The Twins got just two other base runners and that came from C.J. Cron getting hit by a pitch twice. In the ninth, the Twins drew three straight walks to load the bases with two outs. Another bases-loaded opportunity for the Twins, but this time they failed to execute as Cron flew out to end the game.

 

Gibson Minimizes Damage

 

After having one of his worst starts his last time out against a division rival, Gibson looked to not struggle with his control again. Though he did struggle with his control today, he was able to strand seven runners and keep the damage minimal.

 

After he got some early run support in the first, he allowed a lead off single followed by a walk. Gibson picked up a huge strikeout against Christian Yelich for the first out of the inning. A one-out single brought in the lead runner, and after an error that should’ve been a double play, Gibson found himself with the bases loaded with one out. Gibson got the ensuing batter to ground out, and this time the Twins were able to turn two.

 

In the second inning, Gibson allowed a leadoff double, and later a two-out walk, and he found himself in a jam yet again. On the first pitch of the next at-bat, he got Grandal to ground out to end the inning.

 

The Brewers put together three singles to score another run, and with two outs, Gibson found himself in yet another jam with runners on second and third. He picked up another huge strikeout, this time on Arcia, on a 3-2 curveball to end the inning.

 

In the fifth, Gibson gave up a one-out double to Moustakas and was able to get Cain to ground out on the next at-bat. With two outs and Moustakas on third, Thames picked up his third hit of the day driving in the Brewers third run. Gibson struck out Gamel to end the inning, and also his day, as he was pinch-hit for in the next inning.

 

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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[JadenPoint]

Another gut-punch of a loss..(SMH)

[MNT1996]

Twins are just 8 errors behind Seattle

[bighat]

Runs given up by Twins pitching in the past 8 games:

 

12

11

7

6

1

7

5

6

 

Twins are somehow 3-5 during that stretch, but without some clutch hitting and lucky bounces they could easily be 0-8.

 

This isn't a bad team. But they are playing like one. Every game it seems like you're watching the Orioles try and avoid blowing it. From Dyson to Rogers to now Romo, all of our "bullpen aces" are now letting us down. Starting pitching, forget about it....very bad.

 

[Mike Sixel]

Ready to move on from Cron. That error was half his. He's a meh hitter compared to other first basemen. And they'll need every penny of his salary to fill all the pitching holes next year.

[Florida Loggerman]

it's a easy formula for losing? poor starting pitching at best. error's every where almost every game, and relief staff that simply takes turns losing games that we can ill afford to lose. bingo Since June 2nd, this team is poor, at almost all things other than having a offensive line up that never gives up, but does not have the Karma for walk off wins, again today, 3 walks, a hitter you want in that situation, Cron, routine fly out, formula for missing the playoffs at this steady rate. watched the entire game on You Tube, wanting to believe that the pitching would not fail us again??? the minute Romo's pitch left his hand, I said, Flat, nothing on the pitch, say bye bye, a no doubter on both the horrible placement by Romo, and the kid simply hit a pitch that had home run written on it before it left his hand. Power being wasted on a daily basis. wonder how long the offense can keep the horrible pitching close to the Tribe, why did Dyson only get to fact the 3 outs/ just got back, looked oK, and done,

[Dantes929]

 

Runs given up by Twins pitching in the past 8 games:

 

12

11

7

6

1

7

5

6

 

Twins are somehow 3-5 during that stretch, but without some clutch hitting and lucky bounces they could easily be 0-8.

 

This isn't a bad team. But they are playing like one. Every game it seems like you're watching the Orioles try and avoid blowing it. From Dyson to Rogers to now Romo, all of our "bullpen aces" are now letting us down. Starting pitching, forget about it....very bad.

I was thinking with a little more clutch hitting and base running we could be 7-1 in that stretch.     Hitting, rotation, relief and defense.   If I had to assign blame to this one it would be to defense and relief.   We had lots of different chances to win but lead off routine error is a dagger.    But then Romo has to step up.    I guess you gotta give the Brewers a little credit also.  That lineup just feels dangerous.  

[mikelink45]

Is there a lesson we are overlooking - it might not be just Rogers who cannot pitch well on consecutive days. 

 

It has been a long time since the Polanco fielding conversations, but it might be hard to ignore when games like this happen.

 

We continue to be a 500 team - please bring on the also rans.

 

[Vanimal46]

 

Can we make a vote to abolish the last 3 innings of a baseball game?

[Monticore]

Two bad Polanco errors. Errors all the time. Another game snatching defeat. Dyson should have gone another inning. Beating themselves.

[yarnivek1972]

Two bad Polanco errors. Errors all the time. Another game snatching defeat. Dyson should have gone another inning. Beating themselves.

He pitched yesterday. He had already thrown 25 pitches today. He’s just off the IL. ANOTHER inning? Really??

[stringer bell]

 

Two bad Polanco errors. Errors all the time. Another game snatching defeat. Dyson should have gone another inning. Beating themselves.

 

He pitched yesterday. He had already thrown 25 pitches today. He’s just off the IL. ANOTHER inning? Really??

Add in that he is freshly off the Injured List and I would say "no chance".

[Dan Engebretson]

One error on what should have been a double play (two outs), and one additional error (one out) means that the Twins gave the Brewers an extra inning of offense.  It's really tough to win when the other team gets to play an additional inning.

[Platoon]

Ready to move on from Cron. That error was half his. He's a meh hitter compared to other first basemen. And they'll need every penny of his salary to fill all the pitching holes next year.

Joe Mauer called, wanted to know if we miss him yet?

[sftwinsfan]

They're just not a very good team, they're good at hitting-but that's where it stops. Poor starting pitching, poor relief pitching, poor defense. The last 2 months they are a .500 team, that's more than just a poor stretch. The only reason they're even a .500 team is because of that offense. It's been fun to watch outside of the many horrible endings lately, better than I was expecting going into the year, but I don't see them having much shot if they make the post-season unless they get miraculously hot in October. Could happen, just like the Vikings could win the Superbowl this year-so I'll watch-just not likely. 

[Richard Swerdlick]

Maybe Polanco is showing us that he really belongs at 2nd base and not at shortstop.

[gman]

Homeruns as a team, 1st in baseball. Runs scored as a team, 3rd. They have only won 7 times this year (out of 72 wins) when they scored 3 or fewer runs. They have lost 12 games when they scored 5 or more.

 

If my math is correct they need to figure out how to score more runs every game. Heck with stopping anybody just club them into submission.

[Aerodeliria]

Is there a lesson we are overlooking - it might not be just Rogers who cannot pitch well on consecutive days. 

 

It has been a long time since the Polanco fielding conversations, but it might be hard to ignore when games like this happen.

 

We continue to be a 500 team - please bring on the also rans.

 

I was thinking the same thing. Still the great teams do not make errors in crucial situations.

[yarnivek1972]

Ready to move on from Cron. That error was half his. He's a meh hitter compared to other first basemen. And they'll need every penny of his salary to fill all the pitching holes next year.

Well, couple options.

 

1) Rooker plays first.

 

2) Sano plays first. Not sure who would play third. I guess it would depend on who the Twins like where between Polanco, Arraez and Gordon. My guess is Arraez at third, Gordon at SS and Polanco at 2b. 3 errors in 2 days is kinda ridiculous in an era when errors are only called for egregious misplays.

[lukeduke1980]

I am still holding out hope that there's a plan, to do something different than the same approach that has given up a grand slam or 3 run homers every game close and late for 3 games in a row

[Squirrel]

Maybe Polanco is showing us that he really belongs at 2nd base and not at shortstop.

It’s where I wanted him this year.

[twinsnorth49]

They just can’t out hit their pitching any longer, particularly with below average defence.

 

It’s not complicated, but it’s confusing that they envisioned this working this long.

[jorgenswest]

I don’t think Arraez has the arm to play anywhere regularly other than 2B. If defense is a priority they need Polanco to step up at SS or trade one of them. A good and athletic 1B would help but I am not sure Rooker or Sano fit that description. They might just have to counter some extra errors with good bats up the middle.

[Monticore]

If they could only have a shortstop as adept in the field as Gagne. These errors are just demoralizing. The first error where he just dropped the throw was almost inconceivable.

[terrydactyls]

Yesterday was Wednesday, August 14.  It was the 120th game of the year putting the Twins 74% of the way through the season.  The Twins hit 3 home runs upping their record-breaking season total to 233 home runs.  They are now only 34 home runs behind the single-season MLB record.

[ND-Fan]

I hate to say it but Rocco managing I think needs to be evaluated because I am seeing some disturbing things as the season wears along here. First is the Twins defense has been slipping now for several months and the errors are going up. These errors have cost the twins several games in last couple of months. I thought the use of the bull pen has been also not been consistent and I got to feel players don't quite know there roll in the bull pen. I Thought Molitor needed improvement on his bull pen management but Rocco is not improvement. This could also because of upper management too so I am not fully ready to throw Rocco under the bus but its moving that way. Also on bull pen management I got to believe now we have to stretch starters little farther than 5 to help save on the bull pen and reduce some innings that has been turned over to the bull pen. The next area of batting order of some players I don't understand the construction of the lineup it seem were wasting  or not getting the bang out of some our hitters with current batting orders. Example now would be why aren't we batting Arraez lead off hitter he doesn't strike out and gets on base high percentage and would give 3, 4, and 5 hitters somebody to hit in. This would give you Polanco ideal position to hit second and then have Kepler hit 3 the team leader in home runs somebody to hit in. How many of his home runs were one run nobody on in front of him. Still let Cruz hit 4th and Rosario 5th and Sano 6th or seventh. Also with this line up you would have right left alteration most of the time making more difficult for pitching match ups. Also his substitutions I feel have weaken us defensively several times that may have hurt us on pitching side. I know not expert but I do feel Rocco has been little weak lately on his in game positions. Am I only one seeing this I can't believe so .

[OldTimeTwinkie]

The old adage you better be strong up the middle. Arize at second, adrianza at Short.

[twinsnorth49]

The old adage you better be strong up the middle. Arize at second, adrianza at Short.

You take Polanco’s bat out of the lineup?

[rghrbek]

This is a team clearly based on home runs.  They pretty much live and die by them.  Feels like doubles are down, and the clutch hitting or at least with RISP has been a problem recently. 

 

This is not a good fielding team.  Outside of Buck and Kepler in RF, do we have anyone who is considered plus fielder?  Schoop has the arm, but the range?  Plus he squeezes the bat a bit tight in clutch situations.

 

I would suggest our pitching has to get into the 6th and occasionally into the 7th.  That to me is the real culprit of our current woes.   We had one clean inning is these two games against the brewers...think about that.  Bullpen is over used and our Manager is a bit confused.

 

this is the team we have and bringing up some of the AAA position players in mid august is not the answer.  I am not sure what is, besides the royals, tigers, and white sox.  Beating those teams doesn't get you ready for the post season.

 

Need to have a good showing against an ok Texas team in that band box of a stadium.

[curt1965]

You can’t stretch the starters when you are at 100+ pitches in the 4th inning! All our starters nibble too much. The bullpen is what it is-decent players that are constantly overworked.

As far as our defense goes, the team has lived and died with the HR’s this year while the defense has been just ok until the last couple of weeks or so. Posters are on Polanco today because of his errors, but I think he’s been ok for an offense-minded SS.

These are the “dog days,” gentlemen, and the players have to push through fatigue, and days like today are going to happen. As Aaron Rogers would say, “R E L A X “

Have some faith in this product, however faulty it’s construction! How many of you thought we’d be in this position in spring training?