CIN 7, MIN 2: Twins Lose Game, Donaldson, Buxton

[Tom Froemming]

The one thing the Twins really couldn’t afford was to lose any more of their key players this weekend. Both Josh Donaldson and Byron Buxton exited tonight’s game due to injuries, Donaldson with a calf cramp and Buxton after being hit in the helmet by a pitch.Box Score

Berríos: 5 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 7 K

Home Runs: None

Bottom 3 WPA: Berríos -.177, Gonzalez -.160, Sanó -.126

 

Donaldson, Buxton Exit

Josh Donaldson didn’t take the field with his teammates to start the second inning. He was removed due to what the Twins say is a right calf cramp, they’re calling him day-to-day.

 

Donaldson popped out on a ball that was in play. It appeared he may have been so distracted by whatever he felt in his legs that he didn’t initially even make an attempt to run to first base. Nothing looked too serious there, so we’ll hope the team’s initial diagnosis holds.

 

 

This, on the other hand, looked very serious. In the eighth inning, Byron Buxton took a fastball off the helmet. He appeared to be alright, but here’s hoping Byron doesn’t have to endure concussion symptoms or further migraines resulting from this.

 

Berríos Finishes Flat

Berríos entered tonight on a nice roll, pitching to a 2.14 ERA and 1.07 WHIP over his previous six starts. I’m sure he wanted to close out his regular season on a better note.

 

Berríos was excellent through the first three innings, but gave up a five-pitch walk to Joey Votto to open the fourth. One batter later, Mike Moustakas hit a two-run homer. Freddy Galvis led off the fifth inning with another home run and the Reds scratched across a fourth run before Berríos struck out Votto and Eugenio Suarez to end the inning.

 

Berríos finishes this season with an even 4.00 ERA (28 ER in 63 IP). This is obviously a short, weird season, but that’ll be his worst ERA since his rookie year.

 

Cruz Returns, Lineup Misses Opportunities

Nelson Cruz was in the lineup for the first time since last Friday. He drew a walk in the first inning, then proceeded to strike out in each of his next three at-bats. He finished off his night by drawing another walk in the ninth inning.

 

The Twins went 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left 11 runners on base.

 

Colina Debuts

Earlier today, Seth did a really nice write-up on flame-throwing prospect Edwar Colina. He made his debut tonight, entering the ninth inning with the Twins down 4-2.

 

The first pitch Colina threw was 99.7 mph. The second pitch he threw was hit 99.3 mph and traveled 355 feet for a home run. It was not the debut Colina had envisioned, he gave up three runs while only recording one out, but better days are sure to be ahead.

 

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[USAFChief]

Incredibly poor game from our Twins, with the added bonus of missing a chance to put a stranglehold on the division, a couple really worrisome injuries, continued mediocrity from Berrios, and more bullpen follies from the manager.

[Aggies7]

Would not be at all shocked to see buxton miss the first round. Surely won’t see him the rest of the weekend.

[Aggies7]

 

Incredibly poor game from our Twins, with the added bonus of missing a chance to put a stranglehold on the division, a couple really worrisome injuries, continued mediocrity from Berrios, and more bullpen follies from the manager.

Maybe the reds will be too hungover from celebrating to show up tomorrow. Twins could still drop as low as the 6 spot.

[kapete444]

I feel sp bad for Colina, but our offense was pretty atrocious; I hope for the best for Donaldson and Buxton. I think a good move might be to bench those two until playoffs, but I'm hardly qualified to even have an opinion on that circumstance. Here's hoping we win the series with the Reds.

[ToddlerHarmon]

I know I worry too much, but between this flat game and the fact that we weren't desperate for either the Bailey DFA or the Colina promotion.. Did something happen off the field we aren't hearing about?

[MNT1996]

Cruz picked a bad time to look lost at the plate

[JadenPoint]

With the post season coming, is it too late for them to understand situational baseball? Runners at 2nd-3rd less than 2 outs, just put the ball in play when the infield is playing back. Or maybe change your swing with 2 strikes, just to get a run home. Nope, always swinging for the fences every pitch.

[USAFChief]

Maybe the reds will be too hungover from celebrating to show up tomorrow. Twins could still drop as low as the 6 spot.

i think 6th is impossible. The 2nd place team from the ALW has that spot locked up.

[JadenPoint]

Well the sox just went from the 2 seed to 7th. Maybe the Twins can as well?

[Aggies7]

 

i think 6th is impossible. The 2nd place team from the ALW has that spot locked up.

You’re  right, I meant 7

[IndianaTwin]

 

Well the sox just went from the 2 seed to 7th. Maybe the Twins can as well?

 

Not today. They just went from 4 to 7 today. 

[Danchat]

The pitching wasn't great today, but the Reds only had one more hit than the Twins did. The offense has to be better than this if we're going anywhere in the playoffs. I'm getting real sick of watching Sano and Garver whiff at the plate at such a high rate. Using Colina in the 9th was a bad move, but the game was already over with the way the offense was going.

[jun]

Sano has 88 strikeouts in 182 AB. He needs to get on base more even if that means he needs to sacrifice some of his power.

[davethekid]

I'd prefer the Twins as a #3 or #7 seed

After tonight with LAA losing, 1 seed is TB, 5 seed is NYY (loses tiebreaker to all 3 AL Central), 6 seed is HOU and the 8 seed is TOR

 

My Twins seeding preference:
3 seed (3rd best division winner) would play the 6 seed HOU – I definitely like our chances here
7 seed (3rd place in the AL Central) would play the 2 seed, probably OAK – pretty even, but winnable
better than
2 seed would play the 7 seed, probably the ChiSox – slumping but still not preferred
4 seed (2nd place in the AL Central) would play the 5 seed NYY – WORST CASE!

[IndianaTwin]

 

I'd prefer the Twins as a #3 or #7 seed

After tonight with LAA losing, 1 seed is TB, 5 seed is NYY (loses tiebreaker to all 3 AL Central), 6 seed is HOU and the 8 seed is TOR

 

My Twins seeding preference:
3 seed (3rd best division winner) would play the 6 seed HOU – I definitely like our chances here
7 seed (3rd place in the AL Central) would play the 2 seed, probably OAK – pretty even, but winnable
better than
2 seed would play the 7 seed, probably the ChiSox – slumping but still not preferred
4 seed (2nd place in the AL Central) would play the 5 seed NYY – WORST CASE!

 

It's still possible for the Twins to host Toronto in the 4-5 series. Toronto is one back of New York with two to play.  

[davethekid]

 

It's still possible for the Twins to host Toronto in the 4-5 series. Toronto is one back of New York with two to play.  

that's right! NYY could fall to 8 which means they play TB...great!

[twinbythebay]

The funny thing is that the odds of the Twins winning the division actually increased tonight! The bats weren't totally flat tonight, but the hitting with RISP was obviously atrocious. I understand some of the grumpiness after a game like that, but it gets to be a little over the top around here sometimes, especially considering this team is is still playing at a 98-win pace.

[h2oface]

Colina was so not inspiring. One day maybe we get the pitcher that comes up and rolls, instead of always having to make excuses and cliche concessions.

 

I guess the positive out of this day for the Twins is..... they still control their own destiny as far as winning the Central. Time for the boys to step up and get some hits with runners in scoring position. Today was brutal. 

[Old Twins Cap]

Between Cruz, Garver, Sano and Buxton, there were a lot of swing and missess on low outside sliders.

 

They will get more chances to improve on that pitch.  For sure.

[bighat]

Can't win 'em all - I think we all would be happy with 2-of-3 from the Reds.

 

Nice reminder to the Twins players that they're not playing the Tigers anymore and won't be for a long, long time.

 

Rocco sits Cruz down for a week because of a "knee injury" (wink wink) and the guy's so rusty he couldn't even make contact. Yeeps.

 

Worst case scenario in the case of Donaldson and Buxton. We certainly won't be seeing them for the rest of the regular season, here's hoping that the "B Squad" can win the next 2 very important games. They'd better be back for the postseason.

[FanFromPhilly]

I don't see this team winning a game in the post season, so maybe this will be the year they surprise me!

[Huskertwin]

 

Between Cruz, Garver, Sano and Buxton, there were a lot of swing and missess on low outside sliders.

 

They will get more chances to improve on that pitch.  For sure.

There's been a lot of swings and misses at those low outside sliders for the last 6 weeks at least. They'll keep seeing more, but doubt they quit swinging at them (and missing them). 

[lukeduke1980]

Thielbar continues to get people out. I don't assume anything about him being on the post season roster, but he'll have an MLB job next year. Great story.

[FritzDahmus]

The Reds are looking to win another game or 2.....they want their chance at the slumping Cubs by securing the 6th seed. This season is not over for the Reds. The Twins need to play every inning like it's the playoffs. Or they will fall to a seed they won't like.

 

The Colina move is unexplainable. It tells the team - the season is over boys.....you can now relax. Not so fast. The Reds could drive the Twins straight down to the 7th seed....and no home games.

 

Injuries will bring any team down. Looks like it may have just happened. This will give Cave and Adrianza a chance to shine [and they will....as they do....mostly].

 

Buxton is snake-bite.

 

 

[MMMordabito]

At least the Reds can't catch the Cubs or Padres, so they'll be lining up their best for the playoffs at this point. Need a big start from Big Mike tonight.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

At least the Reds can't catch the Cubs or Padres, so they'll be lining up their best for the playoffs at this point. Need a big start from Big Mike tonight.

You're right that we won't likely see Trevor Bauer on Sunday on short rest anymore.

 

But keep in mind, the NL has an extra off day before their wild card round (starts Wednesday) compared to the AL (starts Tuesday), so the Reds could still start Sonny Gray on Sunday and use any and all of their relievers with minimal impact on their playoff staff. (Gray would be available on full rest for game 3 if they wanted, but they'd also still have Bauer-Mahle-Castillo lined up too.)

[mikelink45]

My biggest concerns from tonight are:

• Berrios in the playoffs.  Is it my imagination, but it seems like the bigger the game the more tight and ineffective he becomes.  And I am a fan of his.  I hope he can rise up in the playoffs.
• Donaldson and especially Buxton.  Is there a curse on Byron?  A ball to the head is so frightening.
• MIA bats.  Cruz was a shock.  3Ks - no contact.  I believe he will get back, but he was not exactly burning up the league the last few weeks.  Sano is not lost in both the field and at bat.  86 K 37 hits!  Garver lost his position to Jeffers and Jeffers needs to be on the field to keep fresh.  Garver has 33 K and 10 hits.  Nice to have good utility guys but Gonzalez is hitting 207 and Adrianza is hitting 185.  Total War for these four (Sano, Garver, Gonzalez, Adrianza)  is -0.4.  Use that is a minus not a dash.  And Kepler is now up to .225 and a 750 OPS, not enough to carry the club.  
• Rosario has been the life of the club after all the years of people telling me he is no good and its time to move on from him.  
• Finally - I am waiting for a Homer Bailey explanation. 

[akmanak]

I don't see this team winning a game in the post season, so maybe this will be the year they surprise me!

Are you serious? We have the 3rd best record in the AL. We lost one game to the Reds and it is time to throw in the towel?

[Otto von Ballpark]

So the Reds are guaranteed a playoff spot now, currently sit in the #7 seed.

 

Looks like 1 more win would guarantee they don't get the #8 seed (and draw the Dodgers in the first round).

 

If they win 1 more than Miami over the last 2 games, the Reds could jump up to the #6 seed and draw the Cubs. (Although it's still fairly complicated with St. Louis.)