Game Recap: Twins 5, Tigers 3

[Matthew Taylor]

A much needed quality start on the mound along with a pair of blasts at the plate helped the Minnesota Twins get back into the win column on Thursday night as the home team took down the Detroit Tigers 5-3.

Box Score

Happ: 7.0 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 8 K

Home Run(s): Jeffers (6), Sanó (15)

Top 3 WPA: Sanó .175, Kepler .151, Rogers .079

Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs) 

Entering Thursday night with J.A. Happ set to start for the Minnesota Twins, one would have thought that the Twins would need to bring their bats to the park, as Happ has put the Twins in holes all season. Thursday night was different though, as Happ put together one of his best performances of the year, allowing three runs over 7 innings and striking out 8, the second highest number of strikeouts he has recorded in 2021.

In a similar fashion to how many Twins games have gone in which they received a good start from their pitcher, though, the offense looked like it might not be able to return the favor to their southpaw starter. Through 4 innings the Twins offense looked lifeless at the plate, going 12-up, 12-down to start the game.

Things changed for the Twins in the 5th inning, though, when a struggling Ryan Jeffers broke through with a home run to the left field bleachers to put the Twins on the board and wake up the bats that had been dormant up to that point. 

 

After notching a second run in the 6th inning, the Twins really grabbed the game in the bottom of the 7th when they plated 3 runs, started by a massive Sanó shot above the right center field scoreboard to tie the game.

After taking the lead on a wild pitch and sacrifice fly, the Twins handed the game over to their bullpen to finish the game, and in a shocking turn of events, the bullpen came through. The Twins received perfect innings from Tyler Duffey and Taylor Rogers to solidify a 5-3 win for the Twins.

What’s Next

The Twins’ record now stands at 36-50. They will come back to Target Field on Friday evening to pit Kenta Maeda against Tigers’ rookie, Matt Manning.

Bullpen Usage Chart

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[Monticore]

Good for Happ, glad he came out for the 7th.

[VivaBomboRivera!]

Win against the Tigers notwithstanding, the book should not be closed on Happ yet.

[Aerodeliria]

Was this game as unexciting as the box score would indicate?

[RickOShea]

2 hours ago, Aerodeliria said:

Was this game as unexciting as the box score would indicate?

It was, but should not have been, except for the young Detroit starter, Skubal.

[umterp23]

didn't have to worry about Donaldson legs since he struck out couple times in his O for 3 night.  Nice to see Jeffers get out of the mini-rut he had been in for the last week or so.  Sano with a bomb, feast or fathom and he at least gave us one reason to like him last night.  Creeps back over Mendoza line, see how the weekend plays out for him.  Only 14 games under .500.  Yeah us

[VivaBomboRivera!]

There was a sweet 4-6-3 DP!  Or is everyone too depressed?

[Brock Beauchamp]

5 hours ago, Aerodeliria said:

Was this game as unexciting as the box score would indicate?

It was actually one of the better baseball games I’ve seen all year. Fast paced, crisp, and engaging. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

7 hours ago, VivaBomboRivera! said:

Win against the Tigers notwithstanding, the book should not be closed on Happ yet.

It would be quite an unexpected bonus for him to string together a few starts and actually get traded for something non-worthless. 

[insagt1]

Detroit is not the bottom feeder we may have expected. I know the Twins season is pretty much over, but I am still amused by the 'trading frenzy' many are proposing. I will stick to my thoughts that sellers don't usually profit from trade deadline trades. yes always exceptions, but usually buyers know sellers are 'desperate' and will offer very little. If the idea is to 'stock up' for 2023 or beyond, OK, maybe. Maybe a player or two will be moved, but I don't expect much in return at all. Might find a diamond in the rough, but not holding my breath.

To fix this team, we need to do it right. Wait till the offseason and maximize the value of whoever it is we want to move.

[chpettit19]

9 minutes ago, insagt1 said:

Detroit is not the bottom feeder we may have expected. I know the Twins season is pretty much over, but I am still amused by the 'trading frenzy' many are proposing. I will stick to my thoughts that sellers don't usually profit from trade deadline trades. yes always exceptions, but usually buyers know sellers are 'desperate' and will offer very little. If the idea is to 'stock up' for 2023 or beyond, OK, maybe. Maybe a player or two will be moved, but I don't expect much in return at all. Might find a diamond in the rough, but not holding my breath.

To fix this team, we need to do it right. Wait till the offseason and maximize the value of whoever it is we want to move.

Think it depends on what you consider a "trading frenzy." I don't see any reason to hold onto any veterans on expiring deals. Even if all you get is some low level prospect with almost no chance of making it to the bigs that's still more than nothing when they leave at the end of the season. If they really want Cruz back next year and he really wants to be here they can still sign him again after the year. He'd actually probably appreciate a trade to a contender so he can get a shot at a ring. Same with Simmons, Happ, Pineda.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Game length: 2:23

Seeing that in the box brings a tear to my eye. 

[chinmusic]

Wonder what the average length of double header games is at 7 innings?

I enjoyed last night's game. Well played and crisp.

[bighat]

1 hour ago, VivaBomboRivera! said:

There was a sweet 4-6-3 DP!  Or is everyone too depressed?

Saw it on the MLB.TV highlight package - incredible diving stop by Polanco, glove flip to Simmons and then a nice stretch by Sano. That should definitely make an ESPN or MLB Network Top 10 or whatever, absolutely fantastic.

That saved the Twins at least 2 runs, effectively was a game-saving play.

[mikelink45]

I have been in Alaska for three weeks - one more to go.  No games, no streaming, just an occasional internet.  I have been hoping to see a big change, but a win over Detroit after stinking in Chicago is not the uplifting beginning of the second half, but if Happ gets it together, the bats wake up it might be fun.   I think the best thing for all of us is to just wipe the slate clean and hope for a good finish.  If trades happen I will wait to see what the brain trust does, but overall it has been a good year to be out along the coast.  

So hear are my second half desires -

1. I want to see Jeffers, Larnach, Kiriloff make the next step forward,
2. I want to see Gordon get more playing time.
3. By the end of the year Miranda should be rewarded with a MLB appearance.
4. One or two minor league starting pitchers come up and succeed giving us hope for next year.
5. Some of the young BP arms in St Paul push our the chaff that is our BP this season.
6. Buxton goes a month without an injury, illness, or personal set back.
7. We retain Berrios.
8. We make one trade that gets us all excited.

[Trov]

2 hours ago, insagt1 said:

Detroit is not the bottom feeder we may have expected. I know the Twins season is pretty much over, but I am still amused by the 'trading frenzy' many are proposing. I will stick to my thoughts that sellers don't usually profit from trade deadline trades. yes always exceptions, but usually buyers know sellers are 'desperate' and will offer very little. If the idea is to 'stock up' for 2023 or beyond, OK, maybe. Maybe a player or two will be moved, but I don't expect much in return at all. Might find a diamond in the rough, but not holding my breath.

To fix this team, we need to do it right. Wait till the offseason and maximize the value of whoever it is we want to move.

Your position only holds for players that are not going to be FA this year.  Players like Cruz, Pineda, Simmons, and Robles all could be moved.  May we get not much in return, sure we might.  However, there may be some decent returns.  Yes, the odds are none of the players move the needle in the future, but would you rather trade them for a possible future player or just let them walk for nothing?

Some big names have been moved in mid-season trades, like when we got David Ortiz, or more recently the White Sox gave up Tatis Jr. for James Shields.  The way I see it, if they will walk for nothing, if a team is willing to trade any potential player that you can get a look at why not? 

For players like Berrios, Buxton, Kepler, Rodgers, and others forcing a trade right now would not be the best thing to do, but sometimes teams will give up more during this time of year thinking they are just that 1 move away.  No need to force a deal with them, but if one comes along that team feels in a good one, no need to hold off.  

[AceWrigley]

For what it's worth, Happ's win-loss record now 5-4 and the team 8-8 in games he's started.

[RpR]

This Fantasy Baseball inspired trade shtick is weird except I imagine most of you were not around for the sad seventies when 85 wins was a very good year for a decade.

I can still hear the Twins adds loudly hurrahing BOMBO RIVERA, CRAIG KUSICK. and WILLIIE NORWOOD.

They were not as bad as bashers like to make the out to be but they are more likely what the Twins without the vets will look like. (Arreaz and Larnachs fielding reminds me of Norwood)

I watch now to see Cruz, Donaldson, Simmons vets who know how to play the game well.  I will greatly reduce time spent on a bunch of newbie disappointments which those who is more likely than 90 wins a season. 

Addendum: I feel bad that the Twins may be the one to put the hurt on Detroit, the way their play has made all snide comments god wannabe baseball experts said of them this spring asinine.  They were only three games behind Cleveland.

 

 

[se7799]

5 hours ago, VivaBomboRivera! said:

There was a sweet 4-6-3 DP!  Or is everyone too depressed?

I'm am way to depressed.  Such a long way I have fallen since watching in Fort Myers.

[se7799]

5 hours ago, VivaBomboRivera! said:

There was a sweet 4-6-3 DP!  Or is everyone too depressed?

 

4 hours ago, insagt1 said:

Detroit is not the bottom feeder we may have expected. I know the Twins season is pretty much over, but I am still amused by the 'trading frenzy' many are proposing. I will stick to my thoughts that sellers don't usually profit from trade deadline trades. yes always exceptions, but usually buyers know sellers are 'desperate' and will offer very little. If the idea is to 'stock up' for 2023 or beyond, OK, maybe. Maybe a player or two will be moved, but I don't expect much in return at all. Might find a diamond in the rough, but not holding my breath.

To fix this team, we need to do it right. Wait till the offseason and maximize the value of whoever it is we want to move.

I wish for a Young/Garza type trade.  Just vice versa.

[Mike Sixel]

44 minutes ago, RpR said:

This Fantasy Baseball inspired trade shtick is weird except I imagine most of you were not around for the sad seventies when 85 wins was a very good year for a decade.

I can still hear the Twins adds loudly hurrahing BOMBO RIVERA, CRAIG KUSICK. and WILLIIE NORWOOD.

They were not as bad as bashers like to make the out to be but they are more likely what the Twins without the vets will look like. (Arreaz and Larnachs fielding reminds me of Norwood)

I watch now to see Cruz, Donaldson, Simmons vets who know how to play the game well.  I will greatly reduce time spent on a bunch of newbie disappointments which those who is more likely than 90 wins a season. 

Addendum: I feel bad that the Twins may be the one to put the hurt on Detroit, the way their play has made all snide comments god wannabe baseball experts said of them this spring asinine.  They were only three games behind Cleveland.

 

 

They are losing 90 games with those players, on expiring deals (not Donaldson).....I'm not sure what you want them to do? Keep them until they sign somewhere else next year, and get nothing, and still lost 90 games?

[se7799]

2 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

I have been in Alaska for three weeks - one more to go.  No games, no streaming, just an occasional internet.  I have been hoping to see a big change, but a win over Detroit after stinking in Chicago is not the uplifting beginning of the second half, but if Happ gets it together, the bats wake up it might be fun.   I think the best thing for all of us is to just wipe the slate clean and hope for a good finish.  If trades happen I will wait to see what the brain trust does, but overall it has been a good year to be out along the coast.  

So hear are my second half desires -

1. I want to see Jeffers, Larnach, Kiriloff make the next step forward,
2. I want to see Gordon get more playing time.
3. By the end of the year Miranda should be rewarded with a MLB appearance.
4. One or two minor league starting pitchers come up and succeed giving us hope for next year.
5. Some of the young BP arms in St Paul push our the chaff that is our BP this season.
6. Buxton goes a month without an injury, illness, or personal set back.
7. We retain Berrios.
8. We make one trade that gets us all excited.

I love this wish list, but better chance at winning the lottery.

[bighat]

23 hours ago, AceWrigley said:

For what it's worth, Happ's win-loss record now 5-4 and the team 8-8 in games he's started.

I don't think it's worth too much. Over his last 7 starts he's got a 6.75 ERA and is averaging 5.1 innings and 8 hits per start. And that includes last night's gem of a start, so do the math on the rest.

There's toast, and there's burnt toast. Happ should fit the bill as a long-man or innings eater in the 2nd half. The Twins need to start giving more young guys a shot.

JA is an easy choice for a starter who should be pushed aside in favor of youth, another old timer tossed into the canyon that is Father Time's bottomless gaping maw.

[bean5302]

If Happ continues to start, he'll likely have 3 more opportunities before the trade deadline. Assuming he pitches the same as he did last night against the Tigers, that'd reduce his ERA all the way down to red hot 5.49. To get his ERA below 5, he can allow only 1 ER per 7 inning start for the next 3 starts, and I think any team willing to take Happ on for even a PTBNL is probably going to want to see that sub 5 ERA.

[Mike Sixel]

I doubt any team cares about his season long ERA.....if his last 4 starts are good, he MIGHT be worth something. I have my doubts he's moved, though.

[RpR]

1 hour ago, Mike Sixel said:

They are losing 90 games with those players, on expiring deals (not Donaldson).....I'm not sure what you want them to do? Keep them until they sign somewhere else next year, and get nothing, and still lost 90 games?

If they trade them they will get -- nothing -- I'd rather see entertaining veterans than newbie nobodies , even if they lose, and they need players that can field the ball, BETTER, not more newbie slow weak arm Larnachs or throw the ball into right field Arraez.

[Mike Sixel]

1 minute ago, RpR said:

If they trade them they will get -- nothing -- I'd rather see entertaining veterans than newbie nobodies , even if they lose, and they need players that can field the ball, BETTER, not more newbie slow weak arm Larnachs or throw the ball into right field Arraez.

How do you plan to acquire said players, if you won't deal guys on expiring deals? It is likely they get nothing, but they 100% get nothing if they don't re-sign them. And, there is almost no way they are re-signing most of them after this year.

[Major League Ready]

46 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

How do you plan to acquire said players, if you won't deal guys on expiring deals? It is likely they get nothing, but they 100% get nothing if they don't re-sign them. And, there is almost no way they are re-signing most of them after this year.

Hard to argue something this concrete but I think there is an additional element.  That's making room to audition their replacements and give those players some much needed MLB experience.  It makes for more informed decisions going into next year.  Just playing it out with the guys we have is to absolutely ignore the future for the sake of a couple months of a lost season.  That's a REALLY bad plan when the teams needs to make considerable strides to identify and develop the players that will get us out of the current mess that is the Minnesota Twins.  I guess we could also add to ignore the opportunity to add assets in a lost season is a really good way for Falvey to lose his job.

[RpR]

After the 2017 disaster they did not dump a bunch of veterans, they let few go and traded a few then added a LOT of veterans for 2019.

Had they gone the newbie way after 2018 this would just be another mediocre season after the 2017 disaster, not high expectations following two good years.

[VivaBomboRivera!]

6 hours ago, RpR said:

I can still hear the Twins adds loudly hurrahing BOMBO RIVERA

You rang?