Twins 4, Royals 0: Stellar Defense, Brilliant Bullpen Ensure the Series Sweep

[Thiéres Rabelo]

Last night, the Twins secured their first series win in almost two weeks. Today, despite losing starter Tyler Mahle to an injury during the third inning, they closed out the series with another win, representing their first three-game sweep since May 22.

Box Score
Starting Pitcher: Tyler Mahle, 2 1/3 IP, 0H, 0R, 0ER, 1BB, 1K (42 pitches, 29 strikes, 69.0%)
Home Runs: Jose Miranda (12)
Top 3 WPA: José Miranda (.177), Tyler Mahle (.115), Max Kepler (.069)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)
 

Twins jump to an early three-run lead
Coincidentally, the last time the Twins swept an opponent in a three-game set was against this same Royals team. Having won eight of the previous twelve matchups against Kansas City on the year, Minnesota would guarantee at least a season series tie with a win this afternoon. In order to do that, they quickly jumped to an early lead on a couple of swings in the first two innings of the game.

After Twins starter Tyler Mahle pitched around a leadoff walk to conclude the top of the first inning, the offense was off to a slow start to the bottom half. Royals’ Daniel Lynch got two outs on two pitches to begin his start, and the opening inning seemed doomed for Minnesota right away. However, Luis Arráez worked a short single against Lynch to keep the inning alive, and cleanup hitter José Miranda followed him with a two-run home run to left center.

Mahle threw a scoreless 1-2-3 top of the second, and the bats responded with more run support. Gilberto Celestino lined a leadoff single to center, and the Twins cashed in on a Royals fielding blunder. When Michael Massey made a throwing error to second on a Max Kepler hit, Celestino was able to move to third and be waved in by third base coach Tommy Watkins, scoring Minnesota’s third run of the matchup.

Mahle leaves the game in the third inning
Other than the leadoff walk in the first, Mahle navigated through the first two innings rather uneventfully, but something seemed off with his velocity. He struck out Nate Eaton on three pitches to start the third inning, but in the middle of his next at-bat, he departed the game with an apparent injury. Later on, the clubhouse announced that he left the game due to some right shoulder fatigue.

Having tossed 42 total pitches, his overall velocity averaged 86.1 MPH, with his four-seamer averaging 89.3 MPH. Compared to his season averages, his overall average was down over a full mile per hour (87,2 MPH on the year), and the four-seamer specifically was down over four miles per hour (93,4 MPH on the year). Making his first appearance since Sunday’s nightmarish outing, Emilio Pagán bounced back nicely and delivered two scoreless frames in relief of Mahle.

Bullpen, outstanding defense, hold on to the win
Pagán allowed a couple of hits during the fourth inning, but he was bailed out by some fantastic defense behind him. First, Nick Gordon stole a deep single from Bobby Witt Jr. with a tremendous diving catch in the corner of the left field. Then, after Salvador Pérez and Vinnie Pasquantino hit back-to-back one-out singles, Pagán induced a groundball double play against Brent Rooker, beautifully turned in by Arráez and Miranda to end the inning.

Fortunately for Pagán and whoever came in to pitch after him, the offense added one more run to the Twins’ lead. After flashing the leather at the top of the fourth, Gordon also made his offensive contribution. Gary Sánchez drew a one-out walk, and a couple of at-bats later, Gordon jumped on the first pitch he saw for a double that brought Sánchez home, making it 4-0 Minnesota. Pagán departed the game in the fifth, after getting the inning’s first out, with Griffin Jax taking over. With an inherited runner, he induced an inning-ending groundball double play on his first pitch. He also breezed through the sixth, tossing a 1-2-3 inning on eleven pitches and two strikeouts. Pagán and Jax nearly completed four innings of shutout ball, making for a brilliant afternoon by the bullpen.

When Jhoan Duran took over to pitch the seventh, it seemed like things were about to change. Pérez and Pasquantino, once again, hit back-to-back singles to open the inning and suddenly had the chance to make this a one-run game with a swing of the bat. Duran struck out the next batter before Celestino made yet another brilliant defensive move for the Twins defense, taking a hit away from Massey with a diving catch. Michael Fulmer was made to work hard to get through the eighth, but eventually stranded two runners to give Trevor Megill a four-run lead in the ninth. Topping at 100.5 MPH, Megill had no trouble to toss a 1-2-3 inning and secure the win.

With its first three-game winning streak since June 27, Minnesota now improves to 61-55 and have the chance to climb into a virtual tie at first place of the American League Central with the Cleveland Guardians later tonight, in case of a Cleveland loss.

Postgame interviews

 

What’s Next?
Minnesota has the day off tomorrow, and they begin a four-game set against the Texas Rangers on Friday, also at Target Field. Game one is scheduled for 7:10 pm CDT on Friday, and neither team has named a starter just yet.

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

	SAT	SUN	MON	TUE	WED	TOT
Pagán	9	10	0	0	35	54
Fulmer	0	20	0	7	23	50
Duran	19	0	10	0	18	47
Jax	13	0	14	0	12	39
Megill	0	26	0	0	13	39
Thielbar	13	0	8	17	0	38
López	19	0	13	0	0	32
Sands	0	0	0	19	0	19

 

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[TwinsChupacabra]

The Royals are beyond bad. 

[farmerguychris]

While series wins are nice, we need to see some sweeps against lesser foes like KC to help stay near the lead in the central.  Good series win by not giving up any runs after the first inning of game 1 of this set!

[USAFChief]

Nice win, great job bullpen.

 

But...

I Really don't understand how Mahle was left in into the third inning.

I don't even understand how he started the game. Obviously something wrong from pitch 1. And it had to be obvious during warmups.

Pitchers aren't just randomly off 5-7 mph.

[KirbyDome89]

3 minutes ago, TwinsChupacabra said:

The Royals are beyond bad. 

2 runs in 3 games, both coming in the same inning, against a Twins staff that isn't exactly lighting the world on fire.

A perpetual loser like KC throwing in the towel at the deadline and trotting out an even worse team for the last 2 months is great for the Twins, but terrible for baseball. 

[jmlease1]

I really hope Mahle isn't seriously hurt. That would be dreadful. Wouldn't surprise me at all if the "he's a warrior" comment meant "he sold us that he just needed to get out there and would be fine once he got going" and then they pulled him after discovering that he was full of it.

But regardless: a sweep is a sweep. when you can beat the crap out of a garbage team like the Royals, you gotta do it. doesn't make up for dropping 2 of 3 against the sorry, no-account angels, but let just roll on. Time to pound on texas too.

[Craig Arko]

Good win, nice job by the 'pen. Pity we don't play KC more often.

[Battle ur tail off]

Miranda and Gordon have held this team together and flat out carried them to win the last few weeks or months even. Can't say enough good things about these guys. In fact Gordon against a lefty today did alright. Kid is making a case to be an everyday outfielder. Love it.

[BH67]

7 minutes ago, Craig Arko said:

Good win, nice job by the 'pen. Pity we don't play KC more often.

Nineteen times is pretty generous.

101 pitches over 6.2 innings from the pen without allowing a run or an extra-base hit.  Honestly, one cannot predict what the Twins will do from one day to the next.

The Twins play 14 games against the White Sox and Cleveland in September.  They surely control their own destiny.

[Doctor Gast]

I was apprehensive if Mahle had been overused while in CIN, after the 1st couple of games my thought Mahle was indeed a true workhorse. Today proved my orignal suspicion to be true, with the diagnosis of shoulder fatique. Whatever the prognosis we need more long relief, long relief would've been handy to bridge the SP gap instead of overusing short relief. Short relief did a good job but the situation produce unnecessary strain on short relief. If Mahle goes on the IL we need to bring up A Sanchez plus an extra long RP.

With Polanco out we really need to call up Palacios last week. With Arraez lack of range at 2B, I really don't like to see him out there especially since we have a glove in Palacios who's really hitting now not mention that he needs that MLB experience.

Good job by Gordon & Celestino they have really filled that gap in the OF. Let's take this momentum into the Ranger series.

[LewFordLives]

This team is cursed. They used up some good capital to get Mahle.

[LastOnePicked]

5 minutes ago, LewFordLives said:

This team is cursed. They used up some good capital to get Mahle.

Yes they are. Sometimes I think this is terribly-run organization, and other times I think their luck is just flat-out lousy. As a fan, neither is comforting.

But, I had my rage response earlier this week. I've taken a deep breath. Now I'm just pulling for these guys to give it their best and make a run. This isn't our year, but they can take advantage of a weak division and at least go down throwing punches to division rivals.

[Alex Schieferdecker]

These games against the Royals should be free wins, but good on the Twins for taking advantage. Goodness knows they have not always done so.

Mahle's injury is really a worry. Shoulder fatigue could mean an extra day of rest, skipping a start or two, or worse in the longer term. Not what you want to see. The off-day tomorrow is a godsend for the team and made today's extra bullpen work tolerable (as did the speed at which the Royals got themselves out).

If Mahle misses a start or gets a bridge day, the Twins will need to make a call-up. The simplest approach would be to use Cole Sands and call up another reliever instead. But I'm not sure why they'd want to trust a key game in a division race to a Sands start. If Bailey Ober is as close to returning as has been reported, he might be the right person to plug in.

Easily the most fun option would be for Louie Varland to make his MLB debut, just one start after his stellar AAA debut. He's supposed to start for the Saints tomorrow, but the Twins could bring him up for Friday and push the rotation back a day. Alternatively they could have him throw something less than a full start tomorrow and then have him lined up to replace Mahle on the 23rd.

Some fun options despite the worry about Mahle.

[MMMordabito]

20 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

I was apprehensive if Mahle had been overused while in CIN, after the 1st couple of games my thought Mahle was indeed a true workhorse. Today proved my orignal suspicion to be true, with the diagnosis of shoulder fatique. Whatever the prognosis we need more long relief, long relief would've been handy to bridge the SP gap instead of overusing short relief. Short relief did a good job but the situation produce unnecessary strain on short relief. If Mahle goes on the IL we need to bring up A Sanchez plus an extra long RP.

With Polanco out we really need to call up Palacios last week. With Arraez lack of range at 2B, I really don't like to see him out there especially since we have a glove in Palacios who's really hitting now not mention that he needs that MLB experience.

Good job by Gordon & Celestino they have really filled that gap in the OF. Let's take this momentum into the Ranger series.

Pagan was the long relief (best use of him right now).  Jax threw 12 pitches.  Duran had Tuesday and will have Thursday off.  Fullmer could probably use a day.  I don't really see a problem, and the bullpen usage chart appears to validate that.  They can wait until September to put another long guy (Smeltzer?) in the pen.

Who are you going bench during a playoff push to get Palacios and his 73 innings at 2B between MiLB and Venezuela the last two years into the lineup?  Again, this is a September roster move, if that.

[PDX Twin]

1 hour ago, KirbyDome89 said:

A perpetual loser like KC throwing in the towel at the deadline and trotting out an even worse team for the last 2 months is great for the Twins, but terrible for baseball. 

One of the advantages of the relegation system. They'd be trying a lot harder if it meant staying in the majors next year.

[SwainZag]

57 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

With Polanco out we really need to call up Palacios last week. With Arraez lack of range at 2B, I really don't like to see him out there especially since we have a glove in Palacios who's really hitting now not mention that he needs that MLB experience.

Good job by Gordon & Celestino they have really filled that gap in the OF. Let's take this momentum into the Ranger series.

Who do you DFA off the 40 man to make room for Palacios?  Unless he needs time on the IL, who do you demote to make room for him on the roster? Who's bat do you take out of the lineup?  Buxton, Arraez, Miranda or Urshela?  All 4 of them have hit better since the break than he has hit in AAA.  Arraez isn't the best option at 2B, but isn't awful.  I would rather see all 4 of those guys get regular AB's, the Twins could certainly you use the runs.  The only time realistic time Palacios probably gets regular playing time is if Correa needs extended time off.

[Game7-91]

1 hour ago, LastOnePicked said:

Sometimes I think this is terribly-run organization, and other times I think their luck is just flat-out lousy. As a fan, neither is comforting.

Me too. The "trade for the injured pitcher" pattern is worrisome.

Last time Mahle had shoulder fatigue he was out for a month. Twins cant afford that, but it will be what it will be. One week, one month, one year...whatever the outcome, I would hope there is some serious evaluation being done, including by ownership, about why these unfortunate outcomes keep happening, and then, stop repeating the pattern. 

[jimbo92107]

I like what I'm seeing lately from Nick Gordon. The reason he's denting the right field wall lately is because he's doing something with the bat that goes waaay, way back to Shoeless Joe and Babe Ruth. He's keeping the bat fully counter-rotated until it looks almost impossible to get the bat around and to the ball. Most hitters start to bring the bat around long before the pitch arrives, losing a lot of power in an attempt to put the barrel on the ball. If you have the discipline to maintain the counter-rotated position (bat head pointing at the pitcher) long enough, the swing gets terrific force, like a power slice in tennis. The outward snap becomes forward force, sending the ball at surprising speed. 

If Gordon keeps doing this, he will be approaching .300 very soon. The guy has been playing some great ball lately. 

[DocBauer]

You NEVER apologize for winning a game, much less a series. 

This Miranda kid looks like he might be pretty good.

Gordon keeps doing things to make me like him more and more.

Did the time away from the Twins re-energize Celestino?

I know it's early, but I'm kinda wondering if the Twins didn't unearth a real find in Megill.

Just a tremendous job by the bullpen all series, no matter who they were playing. I know he didn't pitch today, but watching Sands Tuesday night I kept thinking: "Yes! Keep doing that! You've got a real future if you can just keep throwing like that!"

I don't want to sound like a jerk, but, are we glad Pagan had a good day?

 

 

[cHawk]

3 hours ago, TwinsChupacabra said:

The Royals are beyond bad. 

That is a true statement.

Also I don’t give a ****.

[darwin22]

51 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

You NEVER apologize for winning a game, much less a series. 

This Miranda kid looks like he might be pretty good.

Gordon keeps doing things to make me like him more and more.

Did the time away from the Twins re-energize Celestino?

I know it's early, but I'm kinda wondering if the Twins didn't unearth a real find in Megill.

Just a tremendous job by the bullpen all series, no matter who they were playing. I know he didn't pitch today, but watching Sands Tuesday night I kept thinking: "Yes! Keep doing that! You've got a real future if you can just keep throwing like that!"

I don't want to sound like a jerk, but, are we glad Pagan had a good day?

 

 

No, not being a jerk with comment on Pagan.  He should be thankful he's still getting ANY opportunity to pitch for this team.  Is it just me, but am I wrong that it seems to take an ETERNITY for Pagan to deliver a pitch.  I know there's something to being 'deliberate," but it appears to me he's over-analyzing EVERY pitch he's about to throw.  Paralysis by analysis.  Hopefully, Falvey will recognize and admit his error and release him early in the offseason as I think the reason he's reluctant is he doesn't want to see DET or KC pick him up for remaining games vs. Twins this year.  I'm sure our hitters---maybe even Correa, would love to dig in against him.  

[RpR]

3 hours ago, TwinsChupacabra said:

The Royals are beyond bad. 

Yet they shut out the Dodgers. a team the Twins looked like  a AA team when playing.

[jkcarew]

3 hours ago, KirbyDome89 said:

A perpetual loser like KC…

And yet they have more world championships in the last 7 rears than the Twins have postseason GAME wins in the last 20.

[DocBauer]

3 hours ago, LastOnePicked said:

Yes they are. Sometimes I think this is terribly-run organization, and other times I think their luck is just flat-out lousy. As a fan, neither is comforting.

But, I had my rage response earlier this week. I've taken a deep breath. Now I'm just pulling for these guys to give it their best and make a run. This isn't our year, but they can take advantage of a weak division and at least go down throwing punches to division rivals.

Every team has injuries, no doubt.  Could it be argued the Twins have taken too many chances on a couple guys traded for? Hmmm....maybe. But Maeda was even better than hoped for and will probably be good again. A year from now, we might all be talking about extending Paddack beyond 2024. 

But CRIPES, I can't believe any team in all of MLB has had more TOP prospects have early injury woes. I mean, we could go all the way back to Kubel and Mauer, but just the past few seasons we're talking Kirilloff, TWICE, and Larnach, and Lewis, TWICE as well, and now Canterino and maybe...hopefully not...Winder. Wow! I'm sure I'm probably missing someone. It's almost like every top 10 prospect in the system is 40/60 to have some major injury/setback. And we're not talking guys that were drafted with an injury history. 

And let's not even get in to concussions! 

Off topic I know, but man have the Twins been snakebit!

[h2oface]

I was concerned about trading for damaged goods when they acquireed Mahle. It seems this FO really disregards the injuries. Dyson is not too far in the rearview. They ignored Chris Paddock's history. Maeda was always a concern and it finally happened. Now we gave up a haul to get Mahle, and he wasn't anything close to a 1 or 2 anyway. I hope it is not a season ender. I know you can't control injuries, but it would be nice to make the right call a few times, and these guys actually stay on the field and pitch.

[h2oface]

5 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

...... and now Celestino and maybe...hopefully not...Winder. Wow! I'm sure I'm probably missing someone. It's almost like every top 10 prospect in the system is 40/60 to have some major injury/setback. And we're not talking guys that were drafted with an injury history. 

Perhaps you mean Matt Canterino?

[DocBauer]

28 minutes ago, darwin22 said:

No, not being a jerk with comment on Pagan.  He should be thankful he's still getting ANY opportunity to pitch for this team.  Is it just me, but am I wrong that it seems to take an ETERNITY for Pagan to deliver a pitch.  I know there's something to being 'deliberate," but it appears to me he's over-analyzing EVERY pitch he's about to throw.  Paralysis by analysis.  Hopefully, Falvey will recognize and admit his error and release him early in the offseason as I think the reason he's reluctant is he doesn't want to see DET or KC pick him up for remaining games vs. Twins this year.  I'm sure our hitters---maybe even Correa, would love to dig in against him.  

Never really studied his delivery time, so can't comment on that. And I don't think releasing him is just about Detroit or KC nabbing him, though it's an interesting point for sure. It just seems like they are so mystified by his "good numbers" and moments that they just can't seem to see the big picture. They just seem to believe they can "fix" his issues, despite what history shows, and have something and are afraid someone else will get the suddenly "reliable" Pagan.

Dont get me wrong, I'm always glad when the Twins win and someone has a good day. But those "good days" with Pagan simply don't outweigh the bad days and the damage done. Nor does it address the needs of the pen. (Sigh). 

[DocBauer]

12 minutes ago, h2oface said:

Perhaps you mean Matt Canterino?

I indeed did. A rushed post and a poor mistake on my part. Thank you for the correction!

There, fixed!

[Doctor Gast]

2 hours ago, MMMordabito said:

Pagan was the long relief (best use of him right now).  Jax threw 12 pitches.  Duran had Tuesday and will have Thursday off.  Fullmer could probably use a day.  I don't really see a problem, and the bullpen usage chart appears to validate that.  They can wait until September to put another long guy (Smeltzer?) in the pen.

Who are you going bench during a playoff push to get Palacios and his 73 innings at 2B between MiLB and Venezuela the last two years into the lineup?  Again, this is a September roster move, if that.

I don't call 2 innings long relief, 2 innings are extended short relief in my book. 1 long RF covers 3-4 short RPs innings so a short RP or 2 could be sent down to make room for a long RP. Most of our pitching problems and lost games is the result of no long relief. Even w/ the added proven arms especially this problem w/ Mahle if we wait until the Sept. call up it could be too late and we can send everyone home.

Palacios is our best glove to sub SS, 2B or 3B if need be, and should be used as much as possible in those situations, not only for this year but also he might start at SS in the beginning next year and will be our best INF sub. It'd very irresponsible to throw him that situation with very little prior experience. Who can he learn the most from than Correa while he's still here.

[KirbyDome89]

46 minutes ago, jkcarew said:

And yet they have more world championships in the last 7 rears than the Twins have postseason GAME wins in the last 20.

They've also made the postseason twice in the 28 years the AL Central has existed, but yeah, exemplary franchise. I mean, c'mon...