Article: TEX 4, MIN 1: Twins Struggle to Score Without Sano, Mauer

[Tom Froemming]

The Twins third and fourth hitters were Eduardo Escobar and Chris Gimenez. Ehire Adrianza was the starting first baseman. Also, Cole Hamels was on the hill for Texas.

 

How many runs could we have expected them to score?Win Expectancy (via Fangraphs)

Download attachment: WinEx85.png

Hamels had his way with the Twins, carving up an “interesting” lineup. The veteran lefty pitched a complete game, with the only run he surrendered being unearned.

 

Joe Mauer was getting an off day against a tough lefty and Miguel Sano was forced to sit after being hit in the wrist/hand by a pitch on Friday night. Both of their absences were 100 percent understandable, but since the Twins are still carrying an eight-man bullpen, Paul Molitor was very limited in his options for replacements.

 

Kyle Gibson returned from Rochester, where he pitched quite well, to give up three runs over 5.1 innings. He threw more pitches (97) in that brief of an outing as Hamels did pitching a complete game (96). Gibby gave up seven hits, walked two batters and had four strikeouts.

 

The Twins offense mustered just four hits. Jorge Polanco hit a double, the team’s only extra-base hit. That was especially nice to see, since he entered the night with a .465 OPS vs. lefties on the season. Dozier singled and drew the team’s only walk, but was also picked off while trying to steal second base to end the third inning. Eduardo Escobar hit a single in the fourth, but was thrown out trying to stretch it to a double. Buxton scored the only run on a weak tapper to first after he stole second base and advanced to third on a throwing error.

 

The really fun highlights from this one came from the defense. The Twins, starting three shortstops in their infield in this game, resulted in some predictable problems in terms of generating offense, but the glove work was a thing of beauty. In the fourth inning, Jorge Polanco started a gorgeous inning-ending double play.

Not to be outdone, Escobar responded by making three outstanding plays, all three of a different variety. In the fifth inning, he charged in on a ball and made a fine barehanded play. In the seventh, he climbed the ladder to keep a ball from getting into left field. To cap things off in the eighth, playing in the shift, he made a great diving stop.

Ryan Pressly had a very encouraging outing, pitching two perfect innings while striking out a pair of batters. Taylor Rogers gave up a run in the ninth, and has now been scored on in six-straight appearances.

 

Postgame With Molitor

Twins W-L Record

Overall: 52-56 (.481)

Last 10: 3-7 (.300)

Last 20: 7-13 (.350)

Last 40: 17-23 (.425)

Last 80: 37-43 (.463)

 

Defensive Lineups

Here’s a look at the starting lineups from the past seven games:

Download attachment: Lineups85.png

Bullpen Usage

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

Download attachment: Pen85.png

Looking Ahead

Sunday: Twins (Jose Berrios) vs. Texas (Nick Martinez), 1:10 pm CT

 

It’ll be interesting to see if whether or not Sano is able to get back into action for this one. In three career plate appearances against Martinez, he’s hit two homers. Martinez was hammered for seven runs over 5.1 innings in his last start.

 

Berrios has been able to do an outstanding job at keeping the ball in the park at Target Field this year. He’s given up just one home run at home and has a 2.61 ERA. On the road, he’s surrendered eight homers and has a 4.38 ERA. Jose was phenomenal in his last outing, pitching 7.0 two-hit innings while giving up one run.

 

Monday: Twins (TBD) vs. Milwaukee (TBD)

Tuesday: Twins (TBD) vs. Milwaukee (TBD)

 

Next Series: Twins head to Milwaukee for two games.

 

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[USAFChief]

Mauer' absence was "100 percent understandable?"

 

No. Not even 10 percent. And this coming from someone who wants less Mauer. But when Gimenez is hitting 4th, and Adrianza manning first?

 

He needs to be on the field.

[hybridbear]

I thought Kepler could play some 1B too?

[Tom Froemming]

Yeah, I should've said Mauer's absence was understandable in a vacuum, because 1) I wanted to see him sit more this year, especially vs. LHP, and 2) baseball has no business being played inside a vacuum

 

I would not have assumed, however, Mauer sitting would mean shortstops playing first base, but heck, Molitor has stuck shortstops everywhere else on the diamond during his time here, so why not?

[mikelink45]

This lineup is the most frustrating of the year for me.  We do not carry a big bat on the bench so we have GIMINEZ BATTING FOURTH.  This would not happen in any of our minor leagues - no one would bat him fourth.  Man up Joe - Cole is a tough pitcher and you are getting $23 million to be out leader.  But why do we not have a bench?  Why not a Vargas or Park or Palka or anyone who might be able to drive a pitch.  I cannot imagine what Hammel must have thought when he saw this lineup.  He might have taken a quick glance to the calendar to make sure we were not have a return of April 1. I think that we can send all the position players out and bring up all our shortstops.

 

Speaking of confused - what must Garver think when he sees this and is not even given a short call up?

[Otto von Ballpark]

Are we sure Mauer didn't get let go yesterday, along with Jack Goin and the four area scouts? The new FO has had a few months to evaluate him now, it might be time for them to install their own first baseman.

[bighat]

Folks, the book's out on Rogers. Since July 20 he's got a 24.00 ERA in 6 appearances. The magic fairy dust has worn off, and it's batting practice out there.

 

A recurring theme this year for the Twins: a player who was once looked upon as a team strength has become a major weakness.  Santiago, Polanco, Duffey, Grossman, now Rogers.

 

 

[Winston Smith]

"... Why not a Vargas or Park or Palka or anyone who might be able to drive a pitch..."

 

I don't think a manager can use minor league players in a major league game, he can't call players up or make trades. I'm not defending Molitor, he has plenty of warts, but it's hard to make a silk purse out of pigs ear the front office has given him for a bench.

 

That record graphic says it all. At best a mediocre team but they haven't been at their best for some time now. 

[Mr. Brooks]

"... Why not a Vargas or Park or Palka or anyone who might be able to drive a pitch..."

 

I don't think a manager can use minor league players in a major league game, he can't call players up or make trades. I'm not defending Molitor, he has plenty of warts, but it's hard to make a silk purse out of pigs ear the front office has given him for a bench.

 

That record graphic says it all. At best a mediocre team but they haven't been at their best for some time now.

The person you are quoting didn't say anything about the manager, or imply that anyone other than the FO was responsible for not having another bat here.

[Mr. Brooks]

And people wonder why Joe's leadership gets questioned.

An embarrassing lineup because our 23 million dollar veteran doesn't want to face a "tough" lefty.

[jorgenswest]

And people wonder why Joe's leadership gets questioned.

An embarrassing lineup because our 23 million dollar veteran doesn't want to face a "tough" lefty.

Is there a source? I did read that a Molitor sat him due the tough lefty. I did not see that it was Mauer's request.

[Mr. Brooks]

Is there a source? I did read that a Molitor sat him due the tough lefty. I did not see that it was Mauer's request.

Is Mauer not capable of telling Mollie that he's available despite the tough lefty?

[Squirrel]

 

Is Mauer not capable of telling Mollie that he's available despite the tough lefty?

How do you know he didn't? Just because he's not playing? This lineup is Molitor's responsibility and Molitor's only. It's not even Joe's responsibility, leadership or otherwise to question it. And whether or not he did, you don't know. So stop with the Mauer baiting. Seriously.

[Squirrel]

 

 

 

Speaking of confused - what must Garver think when he sees this and is not even given a short call up?

What must Gibby be thinking when this isn't the first time he's been given such a lineup. Yeah, I know, we all think he won't and shouldn't be around next year ... but I'd think you'd at least give your weakest pitcher some support.

[jorgenswest]

Is Mauer not capable of telling Mollie that he's available despite the tough lefty?

Do you have a source that he didn't?

 

It should not be a surprise that an older player with concussion symptoms is going to get days off particularly when night games are followed by day games. Molitor's thoughts on playing Mauer less this year are documented. Is it an unreasonable decision on Molitor's part that Mauer sits against Hamels instead of Martinez?

[Kwak]

 

Folks, the book's out on Rogers. Since July 20 he's got a 24.00 ERA in 6 appearances. The magic fairy dust has worn off, and it's batting practice out there.

 

A recurring theme this year for the Twins: a player who was once looked upon as a team strength has become a major weakness.  Santiago, Polanco, Duffey, Grossman, now Rogers.

Ignoring facts of the game:  Gomez was deliberately "plunked" and Escobar "ole`d" that bouncing ball up 3B line--he should have got in front of it and at least keep the ball in the infield.

[Tom Froemming]

I highly doubt Mauer requested a day off. Here's what he told reporters prior to the season:

 

“I think there’s certain times of year it makes sense,” Mauer said of sporadic rest. “You guys know me, you ask me I want to be in there every night. There’ll be times when it makes sense [to sit] but I don’t think that’s a part-time deal.

 

“You’re not going to play 162 [games] but my conversations with Mollie, it’s been upwards of that number. Not anything less. Like I said, I think our best chance is when I’m on the field and I’m trying to stay on the field.”

 

This quote is from a February piece by ESPN 1500's Derek Wetmore.

[Mike Sixel]

If only there was a right handed hitter with an OPS over.900 available in AAA who can catch or play first. Unicorn, I guess.

Edited August 6, 2017 by Mike Sixel

[Richie the Rally Goat]

"... Why not a Vargas or Park or Palka or anyone who might be able to drive a pitch..."

 

I don't think a manager can use minor league players in a major league game, he can't call players up or make trades. I'm not defending Molitor, he has plenty of warts, but it's hard to make a silk purse out of pigs ear the front office has given him for a bench.

 

That record graphic says it all. At best a mediocre team but they haven't been at their best for some time now.

he could have played Giminez or Kepler at first. Heck, get Grossman some reps there. Gotta put your best lineup out there every day

[Dave The Dastardly]

 

I thought Kepler could play some 1B too?

I had the same impression. Thought I read somewhere he'd played 1B a fair amount of time in the minors. Are we both delusional?

[Mike Sixel]

I had the same impression. Thought I read somewhere he'd played 1B a fair amount of time in the minors. Are we both delusional?

You might be, but not about this

[drjim]

Kepler can play 1b, but has only played 4 innings total the last 2 years. His experience is from the lower minors. But it's 1b.

 

Clearly Vargas or Garver would have been better options.

[Dave The Dastardly]

 

You might be, but not about this

I should've known better to ask that question on this site. If you look up "delusional" in the dictionary it says "another term for a MN Twins fan".

[Taildragger8791]

Do you have a source that he didn't?

It should not be a surprise that an older player with concussion symptoms is going to get days off particularly when night games are followed by day games. Molitor's thoughts on playing Mauer less this year are documented. Is it an unreasonable decision on Molitor's part that Mauer sits against Hamels instead of Martinez?

I don't see what his past concussions have to do with it. If he still has symptoms he shouldn't be playing. If he doesn't have symptoms and he's only 34 playing the least demanding position on the field then he should be available when needed.

[USAFChief]

I don't see what his past concussions have to do with it. If he still has symptoms he shouldn't be playing. If he doesn't have symptoms and he's only 34 playing the least demanding position on the field then he should be available when needed.

thank you.

 

The steadfast need to defend Mauer at all costs is nauseating to me. He should have been on the field yesterday, and he shares blame with Molitor

And the FO for yesterday's lineup.

[bighat]

 

Ignoring facts of the game:  Gomez was deliberately "plunked" and Escobar "ole`d" that bouncing ball up 3B line--he should have got in front of it and at least keep the ball in the infield.

 

One thing I'm not ignoring is Rogers' 24.00 ERA in his last 6 appearances. He's getting crushed, dude.

[Squirrel]

 

thank you.

The steadfast need to defend Mauer at all costs is nauseating to me. He should have been on the field yesterday, and he shares blame with Molitor
And the FO for yesterday's lineup.

And the steadfast need to blame him for everything is equally as nauseating, particularly in a thread that isn't about him but about the game last night. He does NOT share the blame with Molitor on this. Sorry, but lineup construction isn't Joe's responsibility and I'm tired about everything being Joe's fault when you or I have NO IDEA how it went down. If you knew first-hand Joe did nothing to try and be in the lineup, fine ... but you don't, and neither do I. So castigating blame is really people going out of their way to find a scapegoat.

[jimmer]

And the steadfast need to blame him for everything is equally as nauseating, particularly in a thread that isn't about him but about the game last night. He does NOT share the blame with Molitor on this. Sorry, but lineup construction isn't Joe's responsibility and I'm tired about everything being Joe's fault when you or I have NO IDEA how it went down. If you knew first-hand Joe did nothing to try and be in the lineup, fine ... but you don't, and neither do I. So castigating blame is really people going out of their way to find a scapegoat.

exactly and thank you!

 

The idea a player deserves the blame for lineup construction is laughable.

 

Players arent responsible for lineup construction or active roster construction.

Edited August 6, 2017 by jimmer

[wabene]

Mauer gets derided on many levels including his personality. Playing first base has been an opportunity to watch him interact with other players and he gets nothing but smiles. The guy might just be likeable despite his public persona. He also is super smooth in the field and makes it look easy.

[Mr. Brooks]

I don't think anyone is blaming Joe Mauer just because we wonder if he could have been more aggressive in voicing his ability to play despite a tough lefty on the mound.

 

It's also not unusual for EVERY poster on this site to speculate and form opinions without knowing 100% if they are right. I mean that's kind of the point of the message boards.

 

Why is speculation about why Colon is still in the rotation, or Dozier trade rumors not castigated like this?

 

Nobody in this thread took a personal shot at Mauer.

Leadership is a perfectly in bounds criticism of a pro athlete.