White Sox 8, Twins 5: Drop Kick

[Tom Froemming]

Where is bottom? Just when things seem like they’re at their worst, here comes another kick to the gut. Max Kepler dropped a routine fly ball in the ninth inning of a tie game, putting a painful end on a day the Twins did nothing at the trade deadline.Box Score

Hill: 3.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 2 K

Home Runs: Sanó (7)

Bottom 3 WPA: Rogers -.451, Clippard -.240, Polanco -.109

Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs):

Download attachment: Winchart.png

 

Top Down

The first four hitters in the Twins’ lineup combined to go 0-for-16 with eight strikeouts and a pair of walks. Jorge Polanco had three strikeouts for the first time this year. Nelson Cruz also had three strikeouts. After recording just one three-strikeout game last season, Cruz has now done that twice in his last six contests.

 

White Sox Gift Twins Runs

Chicago is highly regarded in most defensive metrics, but they had a rough second inning tonight. The Twins scored three runs despite recording just two hits that inning, taking advantage of errors committed by right fielder Adam Engel and second baseman Nick Madrigal. They were unable to tack on after a third miscue by Lucas Giolito.

 

The Madrigal misplay was especially damaging.

 

 

Twins Return Favor

The Twins were too polite to accept those gifts and not give the White Sox something nice in return.

 

The Twins’ infield nearly fell into a triple play, but botched the execution. But, the only reason the opportunity was there was because a catch was botched. So a botch that followed a botch would be a … did I just finally figure out what a Boof is?

 

Anyway, here’s the play below. Arráez was trying to catch this ball, missed it, then the Twins infield missed the chance to take advantage of the confusion. Just one out was recorded on this play. Chicago would score two runs this inning.

 

 

Max Kepler also just straight up dropped a routine flyball in the top of the ninth inning that eventually resulted in the go-ahead run scoring. Max Kepler! One of the most reliable, smoothest defensive outfielders you’re ever going to find.

 

 

What is happening here!? Tonight we definitely learned that, no, cardboard cutouts cannot boo, and there’s apparently no booing programmed into Target Field’s sound system.

 

Concern Over Hill’s Control

The bases were loaded to setup that weird missed triple play opportunity because Rich Hill walked the first four batters of that inning.

 

In his four seasons with the Dodgers, Hill posted a 7.7 BB%. So far this year, he’s walked 14.7% of the batters he’s faced. Hill threw 41 of his 65 pitches for strikes tonight, a 63.1% strike rate. That actually was an improvement on his season average, which is now 62.5%. His strike rate over his time with the Dodgers was 67.9%.

 

Bullpen Notes

Tyler Duffey, the first man out of the bullpen, also struggled to throw strikes. After walking just two of the first 47 men he faced in 2020, Duffey issued a pair of free passes to the seven batters he faced tonight. Luckily, he got away with it.

 

Tyler Clippard gave up back-to-back singles to open the sixth inning, but then retired the next two batters. With José Abreu at the plate, Clippard threw a wild pitch to allow both runners to advance. The count was 1-1 at that point, and the Twins decided to pitch to Abreu with first base open.

 

Abreu entered tonight 0-for-5 with four strikeouts against Clippard over his career, but he’s having the type of season where stats like that are changing quickly. He entered tonight with a .996 OPS, which would represent a new career high. Abreu worked a full count, then delivered a game-tying two-run double.

 

Trevor May had to bail out Clippard in the sixth inning, then came back out to handle the seventh. He’s not had much success in outings that spanned multiple frames so far this season. Tonight was the third time he’s done it, and all three times he’s given up a home run after returning from the dugout. Tonight it was Luis Robert who got him.

 

When pitching in a single frame, May has surrendered just two earned runs over 10 2/3 innings pitched. He’s now given up five earned runs in 3 1/3 innings otherwise.

 

Sergio Romo pitched a perfect eighth inning before Taylor Rogers had a rough ninth, no thanks to Kepler’s error. All three runs Rogers gave up were unearned, but he’s already given up half as many runs (overall runs scored, not earned runs) as he did in all of 2019.

 

Cave Shines

Jake Cave had a go-ahead single with two outs in the sixth inning and made an impressive catch in center field to prevent a run from scoring.

 

 

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

Download attachment: Bullpen.png

 

Postgame Pint

 

 

Click here to view the article

[USAFChief]

Allowing Rich Hill to walk the bases full, then give up a 2 run single, was managerial malpractice. 

 

Way, way WAY worse than dropping a fly ball. One was intentional.

[Vanimal46]

Time to warm up the bus and pick up some reinforcements in St. Paul. Maybe they’ll be excited to play Major League Baseball.

 

I’ve seen enough of Cave this year. Rich Hill should think about writing a heartfelt Instagram message thanking all of the fans over the years because he’s cooked.

[mnsporto1584]

If losing in such embarrassing fashion isn't enough, Rocco managed to have his four best relievers all throw over 20 pitches in the first game. Really setting us up nicely for the rest of the series. Offense needs to really step up and get out of this funk. We are no shoo in for the playoffs. Detroit is right on our heals. This team needs to wake up.

[MNT1996]

I know Rocco probably doesn't want to hurt feelings, but I think some players need a wake up call. Call up some prospects and bench some of the regulars. Show them that their roster spot could be in jeopardy and that might light a fire under their ass. 

[Danchat]

Well... in 162 game season terms, a 6 game losing streak is the equivalent of a 16 game losing streak. We're now in a position to fight for the 7th or 8th seed... yikes. It's always better to get hot late in the season rather than early!

[JadenPoint]

The cardboard fans could do a better job managing and coaching this team right now. Also very arrogant front office. The sox could be scary good for a while.

[h2oface]

I had to laugh at the MLB site with the headline "Twins' bats awaken, but losing streak hits 6". 5 hits. All of 5 hits. In a 9 inning game. That's how many hits pitchers used to give up in complete game shutouts. And 13 Ks. That is awake? And two of the runs (more?) came from 3 errors by the White Sox. Hey, sure, Kepler missed that fly, and the 3 runs are scored as unearned, but your closer has to step up and be a closer. There was one out, and a runner on first. Big deal. He could have walked him. No biggy. He proceeded to give 3 hits. Again. He really ins't fooling anyone. Rogers fall has been like watching Molitor keep calling on Perkins at the end of 2015 and every one knows what is going to happen, and it is not going to be good. Can he get it back? Did Wes break him? Can he fix him? At least Perkins was hurt. Rogers ERA even went down for this game! How is that for a good thermometer of his performance. Extra outs. Right. One. He is the guy that needs to be able to weather that. 

 

Cleveland brings up yet another farmed pitcher (Triston McKenzie), and he Ks 10 against Detroit right out of the gate. Why can't we have nice things like that? Maybe the pitching success at Cleveland had nothing to do with Falvey. I don't see that happening with our farm. 

 

I really don't think any of this is on the Manager. I think the boys got fat heads, and need to focus and wake up. This is really ugly to watch. I wish they would call up a couple prospects. One just might be fearless. Not ready you say? Well, are the boys playing now ready? They have had about 7 plus weeks now to get ready, and it doesn't look like it. 

[h2oface]

 

If losing in such embarrassing fashion isn't enough, Rocco managed to have his four best relievers all throw over 20 pitches in the first game.

I guess Romo doesn't make the top 4 cut, eh?....... and..... are they really the best, lately? 3 of them gave up 6 runs in 3 innings, and May and Duffey both gave up 2 in .2 innings on Saturday, with May giving up a dinger in his last two outings.

[rghrbek]

After a historic year not planning for a little regression is mind boggling.  Cave and Wade, both left handed, are the teams options?

 

Again, Garver hurts us deeply, we thought we had an all star through and through, but this team is in win now mode.  We all pined for a right handed hitting vet who could play some outfield as well....

 

I didn't mind Rocco burning through his best 4 relievers tonight, because we had to have this win.  However, what has this team done to improve a terrible lineup?

 

The White Sox look like a  younger more sustainable version of us last year.  We made no deals today.  It's been Cruz, and lately Sano all year with nobody else on board.  

 

Really disappointed in the bad at bats.  I can live with the bad BA, and strike out rates, but the on base and EXB hits are lacking.

 

It's too late to panic in a shortened year.  I just wish we were playing all year with terrible urgency.

 

Just a lot of holes, and I feel like, in a shortened season, our team and front office just think things will eventually work out...that is well short sided, in a short sided year.

[Aerodeliria]

 

I had to laugh at the MLB site with the headline "Twins' bats awaken, but losing streak hits 6". 5 hits. All of 5 hits. In a 9 inning game. That's how many hits pitchers used to give up in complete game shutouts. And 13 Ks. That is awake? And two of the runs (more?) came from 3 errors by the White Sox. Hey, sure, Kepler missed that fly, and the 3 runs are scored as unearned, but your closer has to step up and be a closer. There was one out, and a runner on first. Big deal. He could have walked him. No biggy. He proceeded to give 3 hits. Again. He really ins't fooling anyone. Rogers fall has been like watching Molitor keep calling on Perkins at the end of 2015 and every one knows what is going to happen, and it is not going to be good. Can he get it back? Did Wes break him? Can he fix him? At least Perkins was hurt. Rogers ERA even went down for this game! How is that for a good thermometer of his performance. Extra outs. Right. One. He is the guy that needs to be able to weather that. 

 

Cleveland brings up yet another farmed pitcher (Triston McKenzie), and he Ks 10 against Detroit right out of the gate. Why can't we have nice things like that? Maybe the pitching success at Cleveland had nothing to do with Falvey. I don't see that happening with our farm. 

 

I really don't think any of this is on the Manager. I think the boys got fat heads, and need to focus and wake up. This is really ugly to watch. I wish they would call up a couple prospects. One just might be fearless. 

Well-said.

[bighat]

 

 

Really disappointed in the bad at bats.  I can live with the bad BA, and strike out rates, but the on base and EXB hits are lacking.

 

Same - the bad at-bats are just awful. During the Twins' big inning, Cave came up with a runner on 2nd and nobody out. He should have done what was needed to get the guy to 3rd. Move the runner over, hit a grounder to the right side....instead he struck out on 4 pitches.

 

It's just bad baseball. And lots of bad defense last night too.

 

Aside from Maeda, none of the new additions have done jack squat. And where would we be without Maeda BTW?
 

[rv78]

I guess it's tough to find anything good to write about when the team is playing so poorly.

5 hits means the bats are awake? Really?

Cave shines cause he got 1 hit and made a good catch?

Yeah, I guess him getting a hit is a big deal deal.

I'm ready to see Kirillof, Larnach and Lewis.

If Jeffers is capable of playing at the bigs then so are those 3. 

Time to cut Cave, Wade and Adrianza, 3 non-productive bats that will never be missed.

[Huskertwin]

 

I really don't think any of this is on the Manager. I think the boys got fat heads, and need to focus and wake up. This is really ugly to watch. I wish they would call up a couple prospects. One just might be fearless. Not ready you say? Well, are the boys playing now ready? They have had about 7 plus weeks now to get ready, and it doesn't look like it. 

I'd say if the players have gotten fat heads and need to focus and wake up, that is the job of the manager to wake them up. Unfortunately, that does not seem to be Rockhead's style. He's soft and a babysitter and the team is now playing like a bunch of babies.

[TwinsFan268]

I like to look on the bright side, so, let's think positive here, even if it's just a little bit. The Twins hadn't scored more than 3 runs in any of their last six games, and today they came along and scored five runs. The White Sox just scored...more than five runs. Eventually, five runs will be enough to win a game, they just need to FIGURE OUT THE DANG PITCHING SQUAD. (and rogers. rogers is blowing it for everybody.) 

[jmlease1]

The team is in a huge funk right now. During a normal season, I'd be less concerned; these things happen during a long season and guys play their way out of it. The combo of injuries and slumps are really hammering the club right now and the losing is bleeding all over them. And unfortunately, there's almost not time to just "get through" something like this.

 

I felt good in the early innings because sometimes the best slump-buster is the other team kicking the ball around the field...and then the Twins just fell apart. Again.

 

This is still a good team, overall. But not right now. They're playing like they're a bad team.

[AceWrigley]

Time for some butt-naked batting practice or something!!

[VivaBomboRivera!]

Time for some butt-naked batting practice or something!!

 

The rose goes in front, Big Guy...

[rdehring]

Ugly, Ugly, Ugly!

[mikelink45]

 

If losing in such embarrassing fashion isn't enough, Rocco managed to have his four best relievers all throw over 20 pitches in the first game. Really setting us up nicely for the rest of the series. Offense needs to really step up and get out of this funk. We are no shoo in for the playoffs. Detroit is right on our heals. This team needs to wake up.

Don't forget the wonderful bullpen games.  Wearing out this oversized bullpen is really bad managing.

[mikelink45]

Luis Robert is a reminder to all of us of what we had hoped to see in Buxton. 

[saviking]

Need to get our bats going

[Trov]

Wow the hate for Rocco one year removed from manager of the year, and just a week from first place.  We will still most likely make the playoffs, unless we never win again.  The playoffs no matter 1st or 8th will be a crap shoot the first round.  I take almost no stock into this season on what we have as a team or staff.  The lack of ability to really assess prospects on who to maybe bring up or not is a huge loss.  The fact that you needed to pick the 60 guys you wanted to work with right away.  

 

With the compressed schedule and difficult living situation for players it is hard to know how it is affecting each one.  Yes, each team is going through it, but we also are having much more injuries than some.  Less than others.  Those injuries just increase the issues with the team when others are struggling, and the normal bench players are being asked to step up, and they fail to do so.  

 

I sure hope the middle infield have been educated on the rules.  The bases loaded play should have had them tag the runner on second first, he would have been out, then step on the base for a double play.  If they were really thinking they throw to third, tag the runner there, step on the base, then throw to second for the triple play, assuming the runner from first would not have made it to second in time.  For those who do not know, you are not safe on the base if you are to be forced off of it, meaning the runners on base cannot simply stay there to avoid being tagged out but once you get the force play, then the runners are now safe to remain on the base.  It is all about timing, and most people panic in that situation thinking get on the base I will be safe. Players may encounter that type of play maybe 1 or 2 times in their career, not something you practice, but educating players on rules can always help. 

[PDX Twin]

Baseball is a hard game. You have to be 100% focused to succeed. Except for Cruz and Maeda, this team is not. Hence the mistakes, inconsistency, and "total system failure." Maybe they will come back focused in 2021, if there's a season.

[Greglw3]

 

I guess it's tough to find anything good to write about when the team is playing so poorly.

5 hits means the bats are awake? Really?

Cave shines cause he got 1 hit and made a good catch?

Yeah, I guess him getting a hit is a big deal deal.

I'm ready to see Kirillof, Larnach and Lewis.

If Jeffers is capable of playing at the bigs then so are those 3. 

Time to cut Cave, Wade and Adrianza, 3 non-productive bats that will never be missed.

I agree. With a brittle Buxton we never should have gone in with Cave or Wade as backups. An all LH outfield with 3 of the 4 not hitting including Kepler who has been very disappointing.

[Dantes929]

“You're never as good as everyone tells you when you win, and you're never as bad as they say when you lose."     This one is even better  "If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster    And treat those two impostors just the same."   All I ever want out of the Twins is to have meaningful games in September and then let the chips fall where they may.   Hopefully that results in the playoffs.   Well, these games mean something.   When we were 20-10 everyone was gaga over how good a team we had.   Now somehow, everyone is horrible and will never be anything but horrible.   They are just a spark away from being good again.  Will they find that spark?  That's up to the players.  That's baseball.

[blindeke]

 

I had to laugh at the MLB site with the headline "Twins' bats awaken, but losing streak hits 6". 5 hits. All of 5 hits. In a 9 inning game. 

 

I laughed at this too. The only reason we scored 5 runs was because of the errors. AND nobody hit the ball hard except Sano.

[twinbythebay]

 

“You're never as good as everyone tells you when you win, and you're never as bad as they say when you lose."     This one is even better  "If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster    And treat those two impostors just the same."   All I ever want out of the Twins is to have meaningful games in September and then let the chips fall where they may.   Hopefully that results in the playoffs.   Well, these games mean something.   When we were 20-10 everyone was gaga over how good a team we had.   Now somehow, everyone is horrible and will never be anything but horrible.   They are just a spark away from being good again.  Will they find that spark?  That's up to the players.  That's baseball.

How DARE you come in here with your well-reasoned, non-panicked take?! You didn't even call for anyone to be fired or cut!

[ashbury]

Cleveland brings up yet another farmed pitcher (Triston McKenzie), and he Ks 10 against Detroit right out of the gate. Why can't we have nice things like that? Maybe the pitching success at Cleveland had nothing to do with Falvey. I don't see that happening with our farm.

McKenzie was drafted in 2015. That's still Tyler Jay (Terry Ryan) territory for us to carp about, me included.

 

The jury's still very much out on FalVine, but this pitcher isn't the evidence.

 

[Cody Pirkl]

 

After a historic year not planning for a little regression is mind boggling.  Cave and Wade, both left handed, are the teams options?

The issue isn't a lack of planning for offensive regression. They got Donaldson, they couldn't have done a whole lot more on offensive improvements. 

 

1. There's no way to make up for just how terrible the offensive studs from last year have been. Kepler is a below average hitter if you take out the first game of the year. Rosario has a couple games but has been well below average. Polanco might be the least impactful bat in the regular lineup and he's in the 2 spot every night. At some point you have to look at how incredibly sad it is that we have 3 players who are above average on offense and say it's nobody's fault but the players. Slumps happen but things like Kepler dropping the ball last night should make you wonder whether this is just a baseball slump or if guys are just sleepwalking to the park and taking it into the game with them. Be mad at the players for this free fall, not the front office.

 

2. If you really want to be mad at any organization moves, it should be that they haven't brought up any other bats. Literally the entire league is bringing up prospects looking for a jolt. If the Twins aren't going to do that now then I don't know when they will. They don't want to trade them, they don't want them in the Majors. It makes no sense.