Odorizzi: 5.2 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 6 K, 60.7% strikes (62 of 102 pitches)
Bullpen: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Home Runs: Kepler (32), Gonzalez (13)
Multi-Hit Games: Polanco, Gonzalez, Adrianza
Top 3 WPA: Odorizzi (.300), Arraez (.110), Rogers (.082)
Odo inefficient, yet effective
Per the FSN broadcast, this was the fourth consecutive start that Odorizzi had thrown 100+ pitches but of the four only his last start versus Atlanta lasted six innings. Part of this is due to Odorizzi’s lack of success the third time through the line up, which seems to be the reason, in most of the cases, he’s been pulled mid- inning, as was the case tonight.
Although he struck out six and induced mostly weak contact, Odorizzi also walked four and faced eight three-ball counts while allowing six hits. All that said, he did his job by stranding all nine baserunners and giving the Twins a much needed solid outing from their starter.
Twins offense breaks through
Despite having only one hit through three innings, the Twins entered the fourth with an xBA of .290 per Baseball Savant. That coupled with an average 92.7 mph exit velocity meant that it was only a matter of time before the balls started falling for hits. With two-outs in the fourth, Garver snuck a ball past Jose Ramirez down the third base line for a double which was then followed by Arraez’s first career triple. Back-to-back singles by Gonzalez and Adrianza made the game 2-0 before C.J. Cron was thrown out at the plate for the third out. After lead off home runs in the fifth and seventh innings by Kepler and Gonzalez, respectively, the Twins took a 4-1 lead.
Other notes
- Puig’s 455 foot home run was Sergio Romo’s first run given up in his last 16 innings
- The Indians finished with eight hits, despite an xBA of .222, per Baseball Savant
- Twins were 3-for-3 with RISP while the Indians were just 1-for-12 and left 20 runners on base
- Per FSN broadcast, this was Taylor Rogers seventh save of six or more outs this year
- Twins are now 6-6 versus the Indians this year and 27-30 against teams at or above .500
Postgame With Baldelli
Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet
Click here for a review of the number of pitches thrown by each member of the bullpen over the past five days.
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