Twins 3, Rangers 4: Twins Bats Struggle Again

[Sherry Cerny]

The Twins left ten men on base, especially in clutch situations. They weren't able to string hits together. The pitching has been doing well, but the offense has struggled. 

Box Score
SP: Chris Archer: 5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K (77 pitches, 45 strikes (58%))
Home Runs: None
Top 3 WPA:  Chris Archer (.133), Jorge Lopez (.133), Jose Miranda (.122)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

Chris Archer started for the Twins on Saturday.  The right-hander was able to complete five innings and only allowed one earned run. It was one of his best outings of the season.

The bullpen really got a nice break with Devin Smeltzer taking on three innings after relieving Archer in the sixth inning. 

Smeltzer struggled in his first two innings but somehow gave just up one run to give the Rangers the lead. He gave up five singles, and had it not been for the defense, would have given up more runs. The southpaw came back out for the eighth inning and had a great 1-2-3 inning, but the Twins were still trailing 2-1 heading into the ninth. 

It’s been amazing to see how little the bullpen has been used this week with the longevity of the starting staff and the longer relievers. Even in extra innings, they looked rested, ready and in control on the mound, not indicated by the two runs given up in the tenth inning.

The Twins defense was really the main character of the game. The defense has been playing well for the past few games, helping to get the “W” for the team when the score is too close for comfort. In the fourth inning, after the Rangers threatened with more runners in scoring position, Ezequiel Duran hit a slow chopper to Carlos Correa who turned the ball and threw it to Luis Arraez at first base and got the out to end the inning. 

Jorge Polanco may not have had any production at the plate, but in the ninth inning, he made a beautiful slide to grab a line drive from Marcus Siemen. He calmly stepped on second base and threw to Arraez for a double play to bring up the Twins to what fans hoped would be the end of the night.  

Rangers starter Glenn Otto did a nice job on the mound tonight, not allowing the Twins to do more to manufacture runs. Also, the Twins pattern of hitting quite poorly overall with runners in scoring position. 

Opportunities were given to the Twins, but few of them worked out. Otto walked Gary Sanchez which advanced Jake Cave to second base and brought up Arraez who ripped a ball just over a leaping Corey Seager's extended arm and brought Cave home to get the Twins on the board.

Max Kepler, who was on base after a walk, was brought home when Jose Miranda came up clutch and tied the game at 2-2. Kepler was on first when the liner was hit to the right centerfield gap. Kepler dashed around second, and Tommy Watkins waved him home. A dropped relay throw allowed Kepler to score on Miranda's single. 

The Twins got a runner on base in the bottom of the ninth but were unable to score, sending the game to extra frames. 

The Rangers started out the extra innings with two runs, but The Twins refused to go silently into the night, battling with every single pitch. They were gifted a run with two outs when the pitcher misplayed a soft grounder, allowing Arraez to score and cut the score to 4-3. However, the game ended when Miranda, who has been instrumental in so many late-rally games, hit a fly-out to left field giving the Rangers the win for the night. 

What’s Next?
The Twins still have two more games to finish off with the Rangers before traveling to Houston to face the Astros who are first place in the AL West and have gone 7-for-11. 

Pitching matchup for the rest of the series:
Sunday 1:10pm CST: Joe Ryan (9-5, 3.92 ERA)  vs RHP Kohei Arihara (0-1, 4.76 ERA)
Monday 6:10pm CST: Sonny Gray(7-3, 3.11 ERA) vs. LHP Cole Ragans (0-2, 5.02 ERA) 

Postgame Interview

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

 

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[BH67]

The Twins threw this one away is so many aspects, and this is the seventh or eighth game this year for which this is true.

[USAFChief]

Not sure how we lose a game in extras and Duran doesn't pitch.

[h2oface]

Can't brag about the pen tonight. They all gave it up except Lopez, and he just got lucky and was drilled hard. Yes, we should have scored more, but the pen didn't help. And Duran was saved for what? 10 pitches last night too much? 

Our money men need to start earning their money. Time is now. Tic toc.

[USAFChief]

Also, the offense is just...offensive.

I can't even remember the last time Correa got a big hit. 

 

[h2oface]

Does Correa even do interviews? I haven't seen one all year! That doesn't mean he hasn't, I just haven't seen him after games. 

[AlwaysinModeration]

5 hours ago, USAFChief said:

Not sure how we lose a game in extras and Duran doesn't pitch.

What might really make your head explode is if Kepler gets thrown out at home on Miranda’s single in the 8th, Pagan would have pitched the 9th down a run.

Also, the home plate umpire was bad at calling balls and strikes.

Buxton looks like he has regressed at the plate.

 

[bighat]

It's been a pretty rough last 2 months. Almost everyone has been a big disappointment down the stretch. The new closer looks like he was getting lucky in Baltimore, Correa's disappeared, Mahle to the IL, and our most exciting player Buxton hasn't been able to counter-adjust to the league and is really only hitting mistake pitches at this point. I suppose Miranda being the best hitter on the team this year is both very cool and also extremely depressing. 

Honestly this looks like a team that's disinterested, and it appears most guys are just running on fumes. Funny, considering Rocco's given everyone tons of rest this year. 

 

[mikelink45]

I am confused about many things. Miranda has to be in the first four  Buxton and Kepler are both too high. At one time are hitting was supposed to be our strength, but we have been playing teams with losing records and are hitting has been atrocious.  

Nice to see smeltzer go three innings. We need more of that and we should rely on both he and Sands 

With our two top pitchers we have to win the next two games. Then who do we start?

[baul0010]

7 hours ago, USAFChief said:

Also, the offense is just...offensive.

I can't even remember the last time Correa got a big hit. 

 

It was probably when he was still with the Astros.

[stringer bell]

1 hour ago, mikelink45 said:

I am confused about many things. Miranda has to be in the first four  Buxton and Kepler are both too high. At one time are hitting was supposed to be our strength, but we have been playing teams with losing records and are hitting has been atrocious.  

Nice to see smeltzer go three innings. We need more of that and we should rely on both he and Sands 

With our two top pitchers we have to win the next two games. Then who do we start?

Sands or a minor league recall on Tuesday, I reckon.

[Whitey333]

Now with our two best starters going the next two days against the Rangers those become must wins.  After that we go to Houston and the Twins are like 2-12 against first place teams this year.  Then the Giants.  They better come out on Sunday and Monday and at least put in an effort.   Team scored only 5 runs in two games against a pretty poor Rangers team.

[rv78]

Where's Kansas City when you need 'em? Oh yeah, just got done playing them. Got lucky winning game 1 against the Ranger scoring only 2 runs. Last night the Rangers gifted the Twins all 3 runs or they wouldn't have scored even 1. The 3, 4, and 5 hitters went a combined 0-13 with 2 walks. That's not going to win anyone many games. Rocco makes a good move pinch hitting for Cave in the 7th, Urshela hits a lead-off double and then Rocco does nothing to try to advance the runner to third. A sac bunt with no outs is the proper move. Evidently Rocco can't make more than 1 strategic move at a time. He's still waiting for the HR. Sorry Rocco, the Bomba Squad is long gone. You have to manage now.

[David Maro]

Same team different day!! This team has not played baseball more than a handful of games. If Correa would shut his mouth and try to get a hit instead of looking back at the umpire. And Buxton needs to stop trying to hit a homerun every at bat. I'm tired of watching wasted at bats,man on 2nd no outs and can't get him to 3rd nevertheless home. This is a Rocco issue and staff needs to get to work.

[beterday]

Tenth inning, ghost runner on second, Thielbar leaves a pitch in the middle of the plate, an absolute bullseye and Texas guy gets a line drive hit.  Morneau comments:  "He got a pitch you don't expect him to miss and he didn't".   Twns come up in the bottom and Buxton and Miranda both get pitches, again right down the middle, 86 and 87 mph, straight as an arrow and they both look at them.  Morneau says, "Well, I guess you want to make them throw a strike there".  Have some confidence and swing the bat!!!!

[darwin22]

9 hours ago, USAFChief said:

Also, the offense is just...offensive.

I can't even remember the last time Correa got a big hit. 

 

Putting things in perspective how miserable Correa has been with his bat:

Correa:  Age: 27, ABs on season:  357    RBI Total= 39    OPS post ASB break:  .710

Albert Pujols:  age 42, ABs on season:  197   RBI Total= 37  OPS post ASB break:  1.428

 

 

 

 

[Rosterman]

Correa needed to be stepping on Arraez's heels in the 10th. No need to be standing on third with two outs and a play that looked like a potential out at first that was royally flubbed by a fielding pitcher.

Smeltzer wasn't great, but he did three innings with minimal damage. The type of guy you need with short starters.

[bighat]

1 hour ago, stringer bell said:

Sands or a minor league recall on Tuesday, I reckon.

Aaron Sanchez still available? Seems like he'd be a good fit. 

[tony&rodney]

Pretty simple really - the Twins need to hit, especially with runners in scoring position.

[Nashvilletwin]

Observations (somewhat tongue-in-cheek) from last night:

1. The Reds fleeced us just like the Giants did a couple of years ago.

2. You need to pay attention if you are sitting anywhere near the field when Lopez is pitching.

3. Rocco is like modern America - not willing to manufacture anything.

4. By now, the league should have discovered the best way to pitch to Buxton - basically just don’t throw him a strike and let him get himself out (occasionally he may walk, but that’s no big deal because he won’t steal and if he does happen to get a hit, it’s almost never a single anyway). Literally, I’d never throw him a strike.

5. $65MM for our #2-5 hitters last night. Meanwhile, our best two hitters are making a grand total under $1.5MM. Add in Larnach, Kiriloff and Gordon, and arguably our best five hitters (before the injuries, granted) are making under $5MM.

 

[Major League Ready]

1 hour ago, beterday said:

Tenth inning, ghost runner on second, Thielbar leaves a pitch in the middle of the plate, an absolute bullseye and Texas guy gets a line drive hit.  Morneau comments:  "He got a pitch you don't expect him to miss and he didn't".   Twns come up in the bottom and Buxton and Miranda both get pitches, again right down the middle, 86 and 87 mph, straight as an arrow and they both look at them.  Morneau says, "Well, I guess you want to make them throw a strike there".  Have some confidence and swing the bat!!!!

Polanco got the same pitch (middle/middle) in the bottom of the inning and did not swing.

[mnfireman]

37 minutes ago, Rosterman said:

Correa needed to be stepping on Arraez's heels in the 10th. No need to be standing on third with two outs and a play that looked like a potential out at first that was royally flubbed by a fielding pitcher.

 

Ummm, no. Maybe you get lucky because he is flustered from making the error, but more than likely Correa is out by 10 feet or more. 

[mnfireman]

8 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Observations (somewhat tongue-in-cheek) from last night:

1. The Reds fleeced us just like the Giants did a couple of years ago.

2. You need to pay attention if you are sitting anywhere near the field when Lopez is pitching.

3. Rocco is like modern America - not willing to manufacture anything.

4. By now, the league should have discovered the best way to pitch to Buxton - basically just don’t throw him a strike and let him get himself out (occasionally he may walk, but that’s no big deal because he won’t steal and if he does happen to get a hit, it’s almost never a single anyway). Literally, I’d never throw him a strike.

5. $65MM for our #2-5 hitters last night. Meanwhile, our best two hitters are making a grand total under $1.5MM. Add in Larnach, Kiriloff and Gordon, and arguably our best five hitters (before the injuries, granted) are making under $5MM.

 

1. Maybe. However BOTH of them will be back next year, $12MM for Gray is a steal and Mahle is still arb eligible, but will get a raise from $5.2MM.

2. True. His numbers are better with Leon, maybe sub him for Sanchez every time (SSS with both, he is only a 1 inning reliever after all.).

3. True, he seems stuck 2019 when he got bailed out frequently.

4. He does seem lost at the plate, but he is only playing on 1 leg and has publicly stated that he doesn't like to DH, but understands the team needs him (to contribute).

5. Arraez is making $2.12MM, so I don't know where you got that number. But as a whole, Correa, Buxton, Polanco, and Kepler have struggled this year, though with the exception of Kepler, all have an OPS+ of better than 115. I would not include Larnach and Kirlloff among the teams best hitters this year, neither has 200 plate appearances and their OPS+ are 105 & 88.

[Karbo]

Rocco finally seems to have gotten an idea how to handle a pitching staff the last few days, although I probably would have pitched Duran in the 10th. Now if Rocco could just learn how to move runners along better? Seems like we get a guy on 2nd with nobody out and he just stays there. Nothing wrong with some small ball late in a close game!

[Rosterman]

22 minutes ago, mnfireman said:

Ummm, no. Maybe you get lucky because he is flustered from making the error, but more than likely Correa is out by 10 feet or more. 

You take the chance, man. He was going to first. Correa should be fast enough to be right behind Arraez. The catcher would have to be in perfect place for a perfect throw. If the pitcher HAD fielded it, he would've got the out at first and inning done. Hail Mary with two outs!

[roger]

Tough loss.  Only watched from the 5th inning on, lots of opportunities to win this game.

Hopefully, they will stay in the race until the last week of the season, then play like champions.  Thought they needed to win 3 of 4 against the Rangers.  Still can, will they?

[Doctor Gast]

Again the offense sputters, not scoring especially against pitchers like these is very frustrating and the biggest reason for our losses. Pitching did well & gave us an opportunity to win,

Long relief went very well as it should. Yet they had some draw backs. IMO the special presentation especially the delays distrated from Archers prep, Archer is usually lights out in the 1st inning gave up his only run and Smeltzer had to adjust to long relief which could have affected his prep but after he settled in did well. These 2 hiccup accounted for the runs in the 9 inning game. 

I missed the end of the game but if Smeltzer was settled in in the 9th, I'd leave him to pitch the 9th and wait with Lopez since it was a tied game. Thielbar had pitched the prior game & had to pitch in a very high leverage inning , I'd try to avoid.

 

[bean5302]

The bullpen gave up 2 earned runs in 5 innings. 3.60 ERA. Can't expect them to allow fewer runs than that. I don't think it's anybody's "fault." The Twins scored 3, allowed 4. That's a tightly contested, well fought ball game where neither team did a lot more or less than expected.

[Nashvilletwin]

2 hours ago, mnfireman said:

1. Maybe. However BOTH of them will be back next year, $12MM for Gray is a steal and Mahle is still arb eligible, but will get a raise from $5.2MM.

2. True. His numbers are better with Leon, maybe sub him for Sanchez every time (SSS with both, he is only a 1 inning reliever after all.).

3. True, he seems stuck 2019 when he got bailed out frequently.

4. He does seem lost at the plate, but he is only playing on 1 leg and has publicly stated that he doesn't like to DH, but understands the team needs him (to contribute).

5. Arraez is making $2.12MM, so I don't know where you got that number. But as a whole, Correa, Buxton, Polanco, and Kepler have struggled this year, though with the exception of Kepler, all have an OPS+ of better than 115. I would not include Larnach and Kirlloff among the teams best hitters this year, neither has 200 plate appearances and their OPS+ are 105 & 88.

1. Gray is not part of the trade discussion. We will see how healthy Mahle is over the next 14 months.

2. Like I said - tongue in cheek, but Lopez just seems to get hit hard.

3. Rocco is who Rocco is. FWIW, and it ain’t worth much, IMHO he’s not taking us to the promised land.

4. Injured or not, I would still never throw Buxton a strike. He’s still too good when the ball is in the zone and too undisciplined when it’s not.

5. My bad on Arraez. So our best two hitters are making less than $3MM. Point is still valid. Agree that theoretically Larnach and Kiriloff are not among our best five hitters - but they both were performing as such when they went down. Correa is hitting .182 with RISP.  He needs to produce like Lee Majors x 6, but is more like x 3 with the benefit of inflation.  Kepler is really struggling and, except for one year with lots of HRs, he is who he is.  I’d never trade Larnach, Kiriloff or Gordon for Kepler and if all four were healthy, Max would be riding the pine.

[Florida Flash]

3 hours ago, rv78 said:

Where's Kansas City when you need 'em? Oh yeah, just got done playing them. Got lucky winning game 1 against the Ranger scoring only 2 runs. Last night the Rangers gifted the Twins all 3 runs or they wouldn't have scored even 1. The 3, 4, and 5 hitters went a combined 0-13 with 2 walks. That's not going to win anyone many games. Rocco makes a good move pinch hitting for Cave in the 7th, Urshela hits a lead-off double and then Rocco does nothing to try to advance the runner to third. A sac bunt with no outs is the proper move. Evidently Rocco can't make more than 1 strategic move at a time. He's still waiting for the HR. Sorry Rocco, the Bomba Squad is long gone. You have to manage now.

It seems to me that that Twins entire offensive strategy, whether bases loaded with no outs, or runner in scoring position, is hit a home run. Except for Urshela and Arrez it's swing for the fences every time at bat. But home runs is what gets the big contracts, not winning or losing.