Article: SDP 3, MIN 0: Don’t Need a Closer if You Can’t Score

[Tom Froemming]

Jose Berrios was outstanding, carrying a no-hitter into the sixth inning, but the Twins offense got shut out for just the second time all season. The bats could muster only three hits, all of them singles, to go along with a pair of walks. The bright side: At least one of the base knocks came from Byron Buxton, who was playing his first game back off the DL.Win Expectancy (via Fangraphs)

Download attachment: WinEx81.png

This was an encouraging night for Berrios and Buxton, which in the big picture is really what’s important for the remainder of this season. Berrios gave up just one run over 7.0 two-hit innings. He walked two and struck out four, throwing just 75 pitches, 46 for strikes.

 

If this was an AL game, there’s little doubt Jose would have gone out for the eighth inning, but he was pinch hit for as the leadoff man in the eighth inning. Paul Molitor has been an easy target of late, but I think that’s a move that had to be made in a 1-0 game at the time.

 

Along with going 1-for-3, Buxton also stole his 17th base of the season. Eduardo Escobar was a bright spot as well, going 1-for-2 with a pair of walks. Zack Granite had a rough night at the plate, hitting into two double plays, but he also made a nice catch at the wall in left field.

 

Joe Mauer made the play of the game with this sweet over the shoulder basket catch.

Unfortunately, Alan Busenitz gave up a two-run homer in the eighth inning. As someone who has been clamoring for the young relievers to get more opportunities, that was a tough pill to swallow in the first game post-Kintzler, but here’s hoping Busenitz doesn’t have to wait so long between appearances for another chance to prove himself. His last game prior to tonight was July 25.

 

Postgame With Molitor

Bullpen Usage

Here’s a quick look at the number of pitches thrown by the bullpen over the past five days:

Download attachment: Pen81.png

Wednesday

Twins (Ervin Santana) at San Diego (Luis Perdomo), 2:40 pm CT

 

Over his last five starts, Perdomo has given up 21 runs in 25.1 innings, though only 15 of those were earned (5.33 ERA). The right-hander has yielded an .895 OPS and has a 15:9 K:BB ratio over that same stretch. Lefties have hit .331/.407/.494 (.901 OPS) off him this season.

 

Santana followed a terrible June with a more respectable, yet still uninspiring July. In four starts he had a 4.68 ERA and 1.40 WHIP. Through his first 11 starts, Erv had a 1.75 ERA. In his 10 starts since, his ERA is 5.46.

 

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[Han Joelo]

I didn't stay up past the fifth inning, and didn't check the score until I'd been awake for two hours. Maybe they felt a collective subconscious lack of rally caps?

[MN_ExPat]

It was disheartening to watch the bats, as they made Chacin look like an All-Star.   At least Berrios pitched a heck of a game.

[bluechipper]

I'm probably (almost definitely) a homer on this, but the Twins got screwed for about the 5th game in a row by the home plate ump. His called strikeout on Kepler, instead of a walk to load the bases, was probably the play of the game.

[FunnyPenguin]

 

I'm probably (almost definitely) a homer on this, but the Twins got screwed for about the 5th game in a row by the home plate ump. His called strikeout on Kepler, instead of a walk to load the bases, was probably the play of the game.

As some have been saying, time to automate the strike zone!  Bad calls can determine the outcome of a game, and that's not cool.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Another game, another strikeout looking by Castro where he turns and whines to the umpire. He does this regularly and it's just bizarre, immature behavior for a catcher in particular. You could hear Gladden say "that's a good call" off mike after Castro struck out in the 7th last night.

[wsnydes]

 

I'm probably (almost definitely) a homer on this, but the Twins got screwed for about the 5th game in a row by the home plate ump. His called strikeout on Kepler, instead of a walk to load the bases, was probably the play of the game.

That's probably the frustration talking.  

 

When things go sideways, things tend to really go sideways and everything looks worse than it really is.  That's conversely true when things are going good.

[SwainZag]

 

I'm probably (almost definitely) a homer on this, but the Twins got screwed for about the 5th game in a row by the home plate ump. His called strikeout on Kepler, instead of a walk to load the bases, was probably the play of the game.

 

You aren't wrong.  The graph is Chacin last night, look at those called strikes off the outside part of the plate.  

 

http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/cache/numlocation.php-pitchSel=468504&game=gid_2017_08_01_minmlb_sdnmlb_1&batterX=&innings=yyyyyyyyy&sp_type=1&s_type=&league=mlb&pnf=&zlpo=&cache=1.gif

 

 

Edited August 2, 2017 by SwainZag

[ahart10]

At least I got to watch a game thanks to FS1. Even if the offense couldn't back a gem by Berrios. Castro needs to take the bat off his shoulder. Especially with the pitcher, who's having a great game, up next and Buxton in scoring position.

[MN_ExPat]

As much as the out of zone calls feel like a gut punch, I'm STILL not sold on automated strike zones.   That imperfection is one of the things that make baseball beautiful (albeit tragic and cruel, but beautiful nonetheless).  

[Mike Sixel]

 

As much as the out of zone calls feel like a gut punch, I'm STILL not sold on automated strike zones.   That imperfection is one of the things that make baseball beautiful (albeit tragic and cruel, but beautiful nonetheless).  

 

our disagreement on the beauty of that is probably not overcomable.....but explains why not every problem is easily solved in the world, because many of us come from different starting points...

[Willihammer]

Helluva catch by Mauer.

[MN_ExPat]

 

our disagreement on the beauty of that is probably not overcomable.....but explains why not every problem is easily solved in the world, because many of us come from different starting points...

Well said.   It was more of a statement on the many imperfections of the game and that most of us appreciate the fact that baseball probably more than any other sport embraces the traditions of the past (sometimes to a fault, but embraces them nonetheless).

 

But as far as automation goes, if the Twins were winning and in contention right now, would any of us really be barking about those head scratching calls on the balls and strikes?

[Ryan Atkins]

 

Helluva catch by Mauer.

 

He really deserves a gold glove this year. Since its voted on my managers and coaches (not the BBWAA), I have hope.

[Ryan Atkins]

Berrios was brilliant last night.

 

As Eric Karros said on FS1, "he does not deserve to be down" in this game (when trailing 1-0). Maybe he'll win a 10-8 game soon to balance this one out.

 

It was tough to watch the no-no broken up by a dribbler and then Max K. doing his Nelson Cruz impression (circa 2011 WS, almost identical play).

[adorduan]

 

You aren't wrong.  The graph is Chacin last night, look at those called strikes off the outside part of the plate.  

 

http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/cache/numlocation.php-pitchSel=468504&game=gid_2017_08_01_minmlb_sdnmlb_1&batterX=&innings=yyyyyyyyy&sp_type=1&s_type=&league=mlb&pnf=&zlpo=&cache=1.gif

Is there a chart for Berrios?  Just want to see if he got any calls also....

[drjim]

 

our disagreement on the beauty of that is probably not overcomable.....but explains why not every problem is easily solved in the world, because many of us come from different starting points...

 

There is also a difference between a problem and a "problem".