MIN 5, DET 4: Kepler Delivers Walk-Off Hit, Twins Half Game Back in Division

[Andrew Thares]

The Tigers continued to give them everything they could handle, but the Twins prevailed on a walk-off hit by Max Kepler. With Cleveland coming back in the bottom of the 10th to beat the White Sox, the Twins are now just a half game back in the division.Box Score

Bailey: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

Home Runs: Buxton (13), Garver (2), Kepler (9)

Top 3 WPA: Kepler .650, Rosario .490, Stashak .320

 

It was a promising beginning for Homer Bailey in his first appearance back since July 28th, as Bailey didn’t allow a baserunner through his first three innings of work. The fourth inning, however, was not so great as Bailey allowed a hit-by-pitch, two singles and a walk to the first four batters that he faced. This allowed the Tigers to tie the game and load the bases with nobody out.

 

This led to Rocco Baldelli’s decision to go to the pen to get Cody Stashak to try and get out of Homer Bailey’s jam, and he did just that. The first batter Stashak faced was Brandon Dixon, who promptly hit into an unconventional 6-2-5 double play. Stashak then got Niko Goodrum to fly out to center field to get out of the inning.

 

Byron Buxton got the game started for the Twins offense in the bottom of the first, when he belted a leadoff home run that stayed just fair down the left field line, giving the Twins an early 1-0 lead. Buxton was then presented with Nelson Cruz’s robe, that was a personal gift Josh Donaldson presented to his teammates prior to tonight’s game.

 

 

The Twins bats were silent until the fourth inning, when Mitch Garver absolutely mashed a one out, solo home run off the facing of the third deck in left field. Just like Buxton before him, Garver was also presented with Nelson Cruz’s robe upon returning to the dugout. This was just the second home run for Garver on the season, due in part to missing a month of the season.

 

 

The Twins were not done with their threat in the fourth after Garver’s home run. They were able to load the bases with two outs, thanks to a single from Max Kepler, a Ryan Jeffers walk and a pitch that hit Ehire Adrianza. This prompted a pitching change from the Tigers, who brought in Jose Cisnero to face Byron Buxton in an all-important at-bat. Cisnero got the job done for the Tigers, as he struck out Buxton on three pitches, leaving the bases loaded for the Twins.

 

After getting out of Homer Bailey’s jam in the fourth, he came back out to pitch in the top half of the fifth. After getting two easy outs, Daz Cameron blasted a two-out double off the centerfield wall. Byron Buxton showed great restraint in not flying into the wall to try and make the play, and instead let up as he got to the warning track, to play the ball off the wall. Victor Reyes then drilled a line single to left, and Eddie Rosario came up firing and nailed Cameron at the plate to end the inning.

 

 

Trevor May had a rough night for the Twins, as he pitched the sixth inning. May struggled with his fastball command, which lead to him walking three of the five batters that he faced. Of the 27 pitches that May threw, just 12 of them were for strikes. Tyler Duffey came in to try and get out of the jam for the Twins. Duffey was able to induce a weak comebacker to the mound, however, he had a tough time handling it, as it bounced away. Duffey then had to hurry the throw, that was a little low and unable to be scooped up by Miguel Sano at first, allowing the tying run to score. Sano has looked surprisingly sharp in his first season as a first baseman, but he misplayed this one a bit and was ultimately charged with the error.

 

After getting out of the jam without allowing any more runs to score, Duffey came out to pitch the seventh. Daz Cameron belted a leadoff double into the right centerfield gap, and advanced to third on a Victor Reyes groundout in the next at-bat. Willi Castro then came up with a single that put the Tigers on top for the first time tonight. Duffey was able to get out of the inning, by inducing an inning ending double play off the bat of Miguel Cabrera.

I

n the eighth inning it was Max Kepler’s turn to provide the instant offense, at he lined a flyball that just cleared the overhang in right for the Twins third solo home run of the night. It is good to see Max Kepler stay hot, after a three-hit night on Sunday in Chicago, as we head into the final week of the season. His bat could be an X Factor in the Postseason for the Twins. Like Buxton and Garver before him, Kepler was also presented with Nelson Cruz’s robe. It will be interesting to see if this is something the Twins carry over for the rest of the season, or if it is just a one-night thing.

 

 

After a scoreless ninth, we went to extra innings with the game tied a three. Taylor Rogers came in to pitch the tenth for the Twins, with Victor Reyes beginning the inning on second. Josh Donaldson made an excellent defensive play at third to start the inning, not only taking a hit away from Willi Castro, but also keeping Reyes at third. Miguel Cabrera then advanced him to third with a single to right field, before Jeimer Candelario drove him in with a single through the drawn in infield. After that, Rogers was able to retire the next two batters, and prevent the Tigers from added on any more runs.

 

Jake Cave pinch ran for Josh Donaldson, who began the bottom of the tenth at second base. Cave immediately came around to score the tying run on a soft liner off the bat of Eddie Rosario into centerfield. Sano then blasted one of the furthest hit balls in Target Field, but unfortunately it landed about 20 feet foul in the Budweiser Roof Deck, before striking out for the first out of the inning. Mitch Garver then followed that up with a strikeout of his own, however, Eddie Rosario was able to advance to second base on a stolen base. This set the table for Max Kepler, who blooped a single over the third baseman’s head in left to bring Rosario around to score the winning run!

 

 

That wasn't the only 10th inning walk-off hit that helped the Twins tonight, as over in Cleveland Jose Ramirez put an exclamation point on the Indians win over the White Sox with this three run blast.

 

 

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[VivaBomboRivera!]

Any of you guys want some Garv Sauce with that?

[Twodogs]

Rosario won that game tonight!

[DocBauer]

The bad news is Arraez sprained an ankle in an intrsquad game. That hurts, pun maybe intended, as we need him ready to go ASAP as he brings something different to the table for this lineup.

 

May has been on fire and then had a bad hiccup tonight. Let's hope that's all it was, a hiccup.

 

The robes thing by Donaldson is something I have NEVER seen in all of my years! Oh, I've heard of dinners, and I've heard of watches and other gifts AFTER a season, but I have NEVER heard of a teammate presenting a gift of this nature to his team DURING a season. (Ya think Donaldson is happy being a Twin maybe)? Leave it to Cruz to go the extra mile and make his robe a special wearable in the dugout for team spirit.

 

This team won tonight with power, pitching, grit and determination. Things we saw last season. Don't tell me it was "Just Detroit". This not only clutch time and a race, but EVERY YEAR, there is a team, or teams, that have your number. For every champion team they had a team or two that drove them nuts. It's the Tigers and the Royals this year for the Twins.

 

Four more to go! Need to win them all!

 

*Great confidence building HR for Garver.

 

*Tremdous throw home out for Rosario.

 

*Solid 3 IP for Bailey for his first appearance in over a month plus. Long relief candidate?

 

*Buxton...never going to be the leadoff hitter we all imagined once upon a time. So he won't be the next almost Henderson. What if he's the next Hunter? Guy is starting to really show what a difference maker he can be. Kuddos for holding up and not running in to the wall for a catch that might have been impossible and could have resulted in injury.

[davethekid]

Why did we send out Rogers against all those right handed hitters in the 10th with the man on 2nd base? Alcala and Wisler were right handed pitchers available.

[bighat]

 

Rosario won that game tonight!

No way. All the glory goes to Nelson Cruz's Robe!

 

But seriously: Rosie scored one, drove one in, and took one away. All in a day's work for Eddie.

[bighat]

By the way: No Nelson Cruz and no Jorge Polanco? "Sore knee"? "Sore ankle"? I'm guessing those guys would play, but Rocco's obsession with resting players is at the center of it. 

 

What's next? Rocco gonna rest Buxton in Game 1 of the playoffs so he'll be fresh for Game Two?

[mikelink45]

May has been inconsistent all year - tonight was another example.  It is a worry when we will need him in the playoffs.  Taylor Rogers does not have a terrible line, but he was terrible tonight and could have cost the game.  He is still not dependable.  Stashak is looking more and more like a go to guy.  But why aren't we using Alcala now?

[rdehring]

Great games for Rosario and Kepler. Has anyone else noticed that May and Duffey seem to have problems when they come in during an inning to shut it down, then come back out for the next inning and aren't as sharp? 

 

With who Cleveland is sending to the hill today and tomorrow, we just may overtake Chicago...assuming we keep winning. But is that good? Keep winning and play the Yankees at home. Overtake the Sox and we will probably face Cleveland at home. Not certain which of those I prefer.

 

Will be on the road tonight so won't see the game. Win Twins, Win!

[AceWrigley]

Eddie "Big Game" Rosario. That pitch he hit in the 10th to score Cave was a foot outside but he slapped it into CF. This is what an RBI guy does; recognize a pitch he can do something with . . . and do it. Then steals 2B. Wow, we actually manufactured a run.

 

That was a tough error on Sano. You could see that he was stretched out and his weight was carrying him backwards making it hard to squeeze the mitt on Duffy's poor throw.

 

We're half a game back boys.

[KFEY93]

 

By the way: No Nelson Cruz and no Jorge Polanco? "Sore knee"? "Sore ankle"? I'm guessing those guys would play, but Rocco's obsession with resting players is at the center of it. 

 

What's next? Rocco gonna rest Buxton in Game 1 of the playoffs so he'll be fresh for Game Two?

Yes

[TFRazor]

I think the Rally Robe is a brilliant idea

[SF Twins Fan]

Why does Rocco keep pitching Rogers in high leverage situations?  A few of the Detroit players are switch hitters and per Dick during the telecast are better from the right side.  I'm starting to get very frustrated with Rocco and his poor bullpen decisions.

[Shaitan]

 

May has been inconsistent all year - tonight was another example.  It is a worry when we will need him in the playoffs.  Taylor Rogers does not have a terrible line, but he was terrible tonight and could have cost the game.  He is still not dependable.  Stashak is looking more and more like a go to guy.  But why aren't we using Alcala now?

 

May has been inconsistent all year his whole career.

 

It's why he was moved to the bullpen. It's why he's more often a 6th-7th inning arm than 8th or 9th.

 

He's a good pitcher, but he's often overrated on this website. He's not elite.

[blindeke]

 

By the way: No Nelson Cruz and no Jorge Polanco? "Sore knee"? "Sore ankle"? I'm guessing those guys would play, but Rocco's obsession with resting players is at the center of it. 

 

What's next? Rocco gonna rest Buxton in Game 1 of the playoffs so he'll be fresh for Game Two?

 

Going out on a limb and guessing there is a medical reason.

[twinbythebay]

 

Why does Rocco keep pitching Rogers in high leverage situations?  A few of the Detroit players are switch hitters and per Dick during the telecast are better from the right side.  I'm starting to get very frustrated with Rocco and his poor bullpen decisions.

I know it's hard to accept given his results this season, but the underlying numbers still support Rogers being one of our best pitchers out of the pen, which is what Wes Johnson and Rocco tend to focus on. I think it would be a mistake to stop using Rogers altogether, but I'm not sure if he'll necessarily get the ball in every save situation going forward. I would favor a "closer by committee" approach that is more situationally based.

[insagt1]

observation: Rogers had a brilliant 2019. He is having a terrible 2020...his line is not at all good and he is surely not dependable anymore late in close games. This just isn't his year and his role needs to be changed...which is fine.

Garver...his HR aside, his AB's have been awful. He is following Sano, whose AB;s lately have been simply terrible. He'll hit a mistake now and again, but he isn't getting good reads at the plate anymore and thats troublesome.

Kepler--he has always been kind of streaky and now he is streaking 'well'...thankfully. He was huge last night. So was Rosario.

Buxton--clearly the Twins brass has told him they don't want him stealing. Why else would one of the fastest players in MLB get on base in a late game situation, with a clear DP candidate up TWICE...and both times not even a sniff of a steal when the situation called for one quite obviously. And sure enough...DP's both times, when a steal would have totally changed the narrative. Thankfully ever other of his tools are working just fine. But its strange that he never once tried to steal.

 

I think Twins can overtake Chicago. Last nights win was very satisfying Keep it going.

[bighat]

Great thing about baseball is how quickly fans' hopes can change.

 

Yesterday morning we were bemoaning our certain 2nd place finish and just hoped to have the playoff series at Target Field as opposed to Yankee Stadium.

 

Yesterday night, we were chanting "Division Champs!" and excited about the chance to win the Central.

 

Tonight we may be once again in the depths of despair if the Sox win and we bomb against Detroit.

[AceWrigley]

Queue up some tunes from the B-52's tonite so we can have lots of bombas.

[Trov]

Is this the beginning of Kepler getting on a hot streak?  I sure hope so.  When he is on he can carry a team.

[davethekid]

 

Great thing about baseball is how quickly fans' hopes can change.

 

Yesterday morning we were bemoaning our certain 2nd place finish and just hoped to have the playoff series at Target Field as opposed to Yankee Stadium.

 

Yesterday night, we were chanting "Division Champs!" and excited about the chance to win the Central.

 

Tonight we may be once again in the depths of despair if the Sox win and we bomb against Detroit.

I don't see Bieber losing as this would clinch the Cy Young for him. And Maeda should be pumped in his last start.

[davethekid]

 

Is this the beginning of Kepler getting on a hot streak?  I sure hope so.  When he is on he can carry a team.

Doesn't even need to carry, but if he can be 75% of last year, then him, Sano, Rosario, Buxton, Donaldson and Cruz can carry us together.

[rdehring]

Have a thought on Rogers' problem. He is the player rep, thus, was involved in the long negotiations leading up to reopening the season. Since there have been several difficult negotiations with the most recent just ending the other day when the final decisions were agreed to regarding the playoffs, bubble, etc.

 

Don't know how much bickering there is in the clubhouse or how much pressure he has felt. Could be a reason his head isn't at 100% when he is on the mound or preparing to go there.

[mikelink45]

 

Have a thought on Rogers' problem. He is the player rep, thus, was involved in the long negotiations leading up to reopening the season. Since there have been several difficult negotiations with the most recent just ending the other day when the final decisions were agreed to regarding the playoffs, bubble, etc.

 

Don't know how much bickering there is in the clubhouse or how much pressure he has felt. Could be a reason his head isn't at 100% when he is on the mound or preparing to go there.

Let's keep it simple - it is not his head, it is his pitch.  He just is not getting it done this year.