Game Score: Twins 2, Dodgers 7, Atrocious Bullpen and Quiet Bats Dampen Archer's Debut

[Jamie Cameron]

On Tuesday night, the Twins opened up a lightning-fast two-game set against the Dodgers. The Twins fell to the Dodgers 7-2 after a 90 minute rain delay.

Box Score
Starting Pitcher: Chris Archer 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
Homeruns: None
Bottom 3 WPA: Jeffers -.151, Buxton -.144, Polanco -.103
Win Probability Chart (via Fangraphs)

Chilly temperatures and rain were not enough to prevent baseball at Target Field, with the Dodgers eager to get home on time for their home opener on Thursday. Here’s how the Twins lined up against one of the most formidable teams in baseball.

Twins fans continued to see their remade rotation on Tuesday as Chris Archer took the mound against Andrew Heaney. Archer came out strong and effective, with his fastball reaching 95 mph in a scoreless first inning on just 13 pitches. A 105 mph double off the bat of Carlos Correa amounted to nothing in the bottom of the first inning for the Twins. Indeed, Heaney’s three-quarter, across the body action appeared to be deceiving Twins hitters early, as he induced seven swings and misses in the bottom of the first inning.

The teams traded scoreless second innings that were uneventful, save for Byron Buxton doing Byron Buxton things.

Gavin Lux, Freddie Freeman, and Carlos Correa doubles were the only offense for both teams in innings three and four, as Archer left the game having thrown 63 pitches and limiting the best lineup in baseball to two hits and zero runs. Archer was relieved in the fifth inning by Josh Winder to make his major league debut with the Twins. Like Bundy on Monday night, Archer’s debut will give Twins fans optimism that their new-look rotation can be effective against good offenses.

After benefiting from a generous called third strike on Dodgers catcher Will Smith, Winder struggled for command in the fifth inning. He managed just 12 strikes on his first 28 pitches, walking Cody Bellinger and Chris Taylor before a double steal and a Gavin Lux sac fly allowed Bellinger to score. Winder managed to limit the damage to one run. One could wonder why making his MLB debut on a cold, wet Tuesday, in a close game against the best lineup in baseball, was preferential to any game against the Mariners from the previous series? To Winder’s credit, he battled through it.

With rain imminent, the Twins posed their first threat in the fifth. A Kepler double to right-center field, and Sano hit-by-pitch put runners at first and second with one out. Rocco Baldelli opted to pinch-hit Luis Arraez for Gilberto Celestino. A routine ground ball to Trea Turner resulted in a Twins run. Turner slipped, overthrew Gavin Lux at second, allowing Kepler to score and putting runners at the corners with one out. Heaney was relieved by old friend Brusdar Graterol. A Byron Buxton pop out and Carlos Correa ended an excellent scoring opportunity for Minnesota.

Struggling with the increasing rain, Danny Coulombe managed just five strikes on 14 pitches, managing two-thirds of an inning before being relieved by Joe Smith. Smith struck out Justin Turner to end the top of the sixth inning. Despite getting two men aboard in the bottom of the sixth, Ryan Jeffers popped out to end the inning.

Mookie Betts walked to lead off the eight for the Dodgers. Caleb Thielbar relieved Pagan, walking Freddie Freeman before a ground ball rolled under Luis Arraez’s glove for an error, scoring Betts. While it was scored as a single, it was a brutal play by Arraez, giving the Dodgers a 2-1 lead. Thielbar then walked Max Muncy to load the bases before being pulled for Jhon Romero. Romero immediately surrendered a single to Justin Turner, increasing the lead to 3-1. The Dodgers began to pour it on, adding hits and benefiting from a second Arraez error. After the top of the eighth, the score was 7-1, and the game was put to bed.

Except it wasn't. The game was delayed in the bottom of the eight inning due to inclement weather. After a 90 minute rain delay, play resumed at around 11:35 CT. Nick Gordon walked to lead off the eighth for the Twins, before Jorge Polanco singled. Max Kepler singled to bring home Nick Gordon to make the score 7-2. Ryan Jeffers struck out to end the inning. Jharel Cotton managed a scoreless ninth despite walking three Dodgers in the inning. The Twins bullpen walked nine hitters and threw 142 pitches in five innings of work. The Twins went quietly in the bottom of the ninth, falling to 2-3 on the young season.

Bullpen Usage Chart 

	FRI	SAT	SUN	MON	TUE	TOT
Coulombe	27	0	15	0	14	56
Thielbar	0	18	0	19	18	55
Romero	0	0	15	0	34	49
Cotton	0	20	0	0	25	45
Duran	31	0	0	11	0	42
Smith	0	20	0	19	3	42
Duffey	0	18	0	14	0	32
Pagán	0	0	10	0	20	30
Winder	0	0	0	0	28	28
Jax	0	0	0	0	0	0

Next Up

On Wednesday, the Twins will continue their short series against the Dodgers. Chris Paddack will take the mound against Clayton Kershaw. First pitch is at 12:10 CST.

Postgame Interviews - Coming Soon

 

 

 

 

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[ashbury]

Bah.

 

[Unwinder]

Hard to know how to feel about this one. We were up against very serious competition and held our own... until we didn't.

[USAFChief]

9 minutes ago, Unwinder said:

 this one. We ... held our own... until we didn't.

Small differences often show up over time. Such as navigating through a better lineup multiple times. Or consistently bringing in the lesser reliever.

[VivaBomboRivera!]

Dear Byron, Caleb, Emilio, Gio, Luis, Miguel and Ryan,

Today's loss was a team effort.  Please follow Doctor Bombo's ten-point prescription to prevent further downers like this game.

1. Neatly fold your rain-soaked, muddy uniforms
2. Stack and place them in a heavy duty, 2-ply trash bag
3. Put the lineup card and box score on top of the stack
4. Collect all game balls and put them in the bag; do not use for BP or sell in the gift shop as "game (ab)used"
5. Seal the bag tightly with duct tape
6. Place the bag in the Target Field dumpster
7. Secure the dumpster lid tightly to deny carrion any access
8. Turn 180 degrees, walk away from the dumpster without looking back
9. Have someone drive you home, sleep at least eight hours
10. Enjoy a big, hot breakfast with your loved ones
11. Stick 'em tomorrow!

One more item 11. for Miguel.  The next time you see Roy Smalley in the ball park, chat him up.  Bring Max with you.

[bighat]

Gary Sanchez 0-for-3 with three strikeouts. First two ABs he didn't even take a pitch, just swung and missed at 3 straight pitches and sat down. He took 5 pitches his 3rd at bat but never made contact (not even a foul ball) and also went down swinging. Seven swings - not one of them drew iron.

Would like to see the Twins rotating Arraez and Urshela between 3B and the DH role. No reason the backup catcher should be DH'ing anyway.

Speaking of Arraez, I don't see how Rocco can keep him out of this lineup, whether it's a righty or lefty on the mound.

Winder didn't look great, but hey, it was the kid's first ever game and he's out there pitching to Mookie Betts.

The loss of Alcala is looming very large right now. Here's hoping the Twins have a live arm to replace him because it looks like they'll need all the help they can get.

[mnfireman]

9 minutes ago, bighat said:

Speaking of Arraez, I don't see how Rocco can keep him out of this lineup, whether it's a righty or lefty on the mound.

 

His glove....

[jmlease1]

Ridiculous decision by the umpires to wait until the 8th to suspend the game; it should have been paused in the 6th when lightning was popping off like crazy and the rain was coming down in sheets and the infield was turning into a sodden mess. They seemed to get locked into a "just get through one more half inning" and it was absurd. You could see the players jerseys getting soaked through, it was getting hard to see the plays on tv because of all the rain...that's just dumb. 

Tough outing for Winder. He needed to get used or there was no point in having him on the roster, but dropping him in to a tied game on a miserable night against a tough lineup was less than ideal. Hopefully he'll have the nerve out of his system and might get to pitch in some warmer weather.

[bighat]

36 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

 

Tough outing for Winder. He needed to get used or there was no point in having him on the roster, but dropping him in to a tied game on a miserable night against a tough lineup was less than ideal. Hopefully he'll have the nerve out of his system and might get to pitch in some warmer weather.

Yeah, I mean on the plus side he definitely had a "trial by fire" and was quickly schooled by the highest level competition. The walks, then that double-steal on him was just brutal....I'd have thrown my glove down and ran up to the stands looking for mommy. The strikeout was nice, but after that even the outs were hard hit balls. That sac fly would have been a sure home run if it weren't 41 degrees and raining.

To his credit the kid sucked it up and got out of the inning giving up just one run. The next time he gets out there he'll think to himself "I got Mookie Betts out with a man on 3rd base, I can do this". There's gotta be some silver lining.

[VivaBomboRivera!]

1 hour ago, mnfireman said:

His glove....

Cursed.

[Dman]

Bad weather seems the most likely reason why the bullpen suddenly couldn't throw strikes it also was the reason they lost the game.  Lot's of hard contact given up by the pen as well.  If there is a positive to take out of last night it is that Archer pitched well and honestly all 5 starters have done well to this point.  If we continue to get good starting pitching I like this teams chances to do well this year.

[Whitey333]

Felt sorry for Winder.  Very difficult circumstances to throw him out against such a good team in crummy weather in his debut.  Stupid for Baldelli not to use him in one of the four games against Mariners for his MLB debut.  Good first game for Archer.  He looked good.  It's going to be interesting to see today's starting lineup.  With Baldellis propensity to sit players and baby his favorite players, I wouldn't be surprised to see the batboys in there. 

[Jamie Cameron]

7 hours ago, Unwinder said:

Hard to know how to feel about this one. We were up against very serious competition and held our own... until we didn't.

This is mostly how I feel about this game. I'm not pressed about the loss, more annoyed that the Twins didn't take any chances and have now dropped all three close games. Bullpen was so bad, but the conditions were terrible and the opposition was great. 

[Jamie Cameron]

1 hour ago, jmlease1 said:

Ridiculous decision by the umpires to wait until the 8th to suspend the game; it should have been paused in the 6th when lightning was popping off like crazy and the rain was coming down in sheets and the infield was turning into a sodden mess. They seemed to get locked into a "just get through one more half inning" and it was absurd. You could see the players jerseys getting soaked through, it was getting hard to see the plays on tv because of all the rain...that's just dumb. 

Tough outing for Winder. He needed to get used or there was no point in having him on the roster, but dropping him in to a tied game on a miserable night against a tough lineup was less than ideal. Hopefully he'll have the nerve out of his system and might get to pitch in some warmer weather.

I thought the rain delay timing was so bad, also. Did the players absolutely no favors.

[Whitey333]

I admit I was wrong.  Looks like a regular lineup today.  I'm glad.  I see Aareaz is starting at second base today and Polanco is starting at shortstop.  Did Correa get hurt last night?  He left the game a little early last night.  Does anyone know why Correa isn't in the starting lineup today?

[Karbo]

Once again, Rocco gets an F for bullpen management. Can't blame the loss on that, but really, why would anyone put a rookie in for his debut against that team, on a night like that? Rocco, you should be ashamed of yourself!

[laloesch]

17 minutes ago, Karbo said:

Once again, Rocco gets an F for bullpen management. Can't blame the loss on that, but really, why would anyone put a rookie in for his debut against that team, on a night like that? Rocco, you should be ashamed of yourself!

Agreed.  Rocco gets an F on this one.  Not the right time to put a rookie in IMO.  

[Dantes929]

I'll give passes to anyone on a night like that.    I thought it should have been called in the 6th but they just kept going in what appeared to be a pretty good downpour.     I have no problem throwing Winder out there but also give him a pass for not coming through.        I have noted in the past that some players do well in the cold and others just suck.   Same with the rain.   Everyone is built differently..   If you saw me play golf with a group of my friends in nice weather you would say I was one of the better players in the group.   If you saw me play in a rain like last night you would say I was the absolute worst.   I don't know why, but I cannot keep my grip with a wet club.   Could have been just the opposite with Winder, but it wasn't.   In the little bit I watched when Coulombe was pitching I noticed the umpire wasn't doing pitchers on either side any favors.      Tough on a night like that when the great pitches on the corners are being squeezed.

[Dantes929]

20 minutes ago, Karbo said:

Once again, Rocco gets an F for bullpen management. Can't blame the loss on that, but really, why would anyone put a rookie in for his debut against that team, on a night like that? Rocco, you should be ashamed of yourself!

I'm kind of with you there.    It's a combination of the conditions, the lineup he faces, not pitching for 5 games and the time in the game.    I remember when Aaron HIcks  was  debuting at the start of a season after a great spring training and he led off against Verlander and Sanchez at their best.   0-9 with 5 strikeouts.    Not a great way to start a career.   All the good mojo from ST gone just like that.     

[Mark G]

What "dampened Archer's debut" was the fact he was only allowed to go 4 innings and 63 pitches on a cool night when he was throwing fine.  I know this is only 5 games so far, but the starters have pitched 22.2 innings and the BP has pitched 22.1.  The starters have thrown 4 pretty fine games out of the 5 and should have been allowed to own their game.  When plan A is using 4-6 pitchers (or more) every time out we should not expect every pitcher to be on their game every time out.  When a starter is on theirs let them pitch!!  

52 minutes ago, Jamie Cameron said:

I thought the rain delay timing was so bad, also. Did the players absolutely no favors.

I have a feeling that with the slightly squeezed season and fewer days off teams will be playing in the rain a lot more than usual trying to get the games in.  We may have to get used to nights like last night.  

[Whitey333]

It's kind of convenient to blame the weather for the bullpens struggles.  It seems to me it was raining when the Dodgers were pitching. They didn't walk 9.  They didn't implode.  The bullpen blew it, plain and simple.  It happens.  Let's try to win today.  Maybe Arraez can pitch lol

[tony&rodney]

The absurdity of the game was everyone running for cover with lightning striking all around as the field crew dutifully took the field and struggled to cover the playing surface. They should have just said that the field will be covered when the lightning stops. 

 

[TwinsAce]

57 minutes ago, Mark G said:

What "dampened Archer's debut" was the fact he was only allowed to go 4 innings and 63 pitches on a cool night when he was throwing fine.  I know this is only 5 games so far, but the starters have pitched 22.2 innings and the BP has pitched 22.1.  The starters have thrown 4 pretty fine games out of the 5 and should have been allowed to own their game.  When plan A is using 4-6 pitchers (or more) every time out we should not expect every pitcher to be on their game every time out.  When a starter is on theirs let them pitch!!  

I think it is key to remember how early in the season we are...We are at the standard March spring training phase, with most starters expecting 1-2 more starts before the regular season starts.  I think the Twins are doing just fine and are being smart in their usage of their pitchers so far.  (Especially when arguably our biggest concern with Archer is staying healthy.)  I would expect their innings to increase as the season goes on.

[TwinsAce]

Some good quotes in the Bundy article by Hayes at the Athletic yesterday regarding pitch count limits, etc.
“We have a bigger statement to make,” Bundy said. “Every guy in the rotation can go deeper into games and we will, going forward. We’ve just got to be built up to that and do it safely. At some point, you’ll see all five, six of us going deeper in games.”

https://theathletic.com/3244833/2022/04/12/twins-starter-dylan-bundy-is-ready-to-work-deeper-into-games-after-masterful-debut/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983

[big dog]

I gotta say, if you had given me the actual ERA outcome on the first five starters before the season started, I would have definitely bet the Over and started dreaming about how to spend my winnings. Let's hope they can build on this.

[Doctor Gast]

1 hour ago, Whitey333 said:

I admit I was wrong.  Looks like a regular lineup today.  I'm glad.  I see Aareaz is starting at second base today and Polanco is starting at shortstop.  Did Correa get hurt last night?  He left the game a little early last night.  Does anyone know why Correa isn't in the starting lineup today?

Hope Correa isn't hurt but that's the only reason I see for not playing him. Playing LAD is like a PS game and Correa is the only one who get's up for those games. Not playing Correa and playing Polanco at SS and Arraez at 2B is like telling LAD "I'm giving you this one".

[2wins87]

3 hours ago, bighat said:

Would like to see the Twins rotating Arraez and Urshela between 3B and the DH role. No reason the backup catcher should be DH'ing anyway.

Speaking of Arraez, I don't see how Rocco can keep him out of this lineup, whether it's a righty or lefty on the mound.

I agree on Arraez DHing, but I don't really think Urshela needs to be DHing much.  I'm ok with Sanchez there from time to time, especially against lefties, but I don't really think he needs to be the primary DH.  I don't know if its some sort of traditional bias for the DH being a power guy, I wouldn't really expect this team and Rocco to have that kind of bias, but Arraez is probably the best suited player for the DH spot on the team as one of the best overall hitters and a somewhat shaky fielder.

When a lefty is pitching there are plenty of RH bats that are probably at least equivalent statistically, since Arraez does have the platoon splits you would expect, but I also never mind seeing his bat in the lineup since he has good at bats almost all the time.

[Doctor Gast]

1 hour ago, Karbo said:

Once again, Rocco gets an F for bullpen management. Can't blame the loss on that, but really, why would anyone put a rookie in for his debut against that team, on a night like that? Rocco, you should be ashamed of yourself!

As was discussed about the last Seatle game, that IMO Winder should have been allowed to debut and let him pitch as long as he could in that game. Allowing Duran and other RPs available to pitch in last night game. Dodgers are a formiable team and is intimitating for a rookie to debut. IMO Duran would have been more likely to rise up to the occasion.

[Mike Sixel]

2 hours ago, Whitey333 said:

Felt sorry for Winder.  Very difficult circumstances to throw him out against such a good team in crummy weather in his debut.  Stupid for Baldelli not to use him in one of the four games against Mariners for his MLB debut.  Good first game for Archer.  He looked good.  It's going to be interesting to see today's starting lineup.  With Baldellis propensity to sit players and baby his favorite players, I wouldn't be surprised to see the batboys in there. 

Just a hunch....

A: Not Baldelli's decision.

B: It was always the plan to piggyback him with Archer. IMO, that is highly likely and why he didn't pitch against Seattle.

[Mike Sixel]

Really, I don't think people are thinking about the PLAN for Winder at all, as if it was random he pitched after Archer.......