Article: KC 11, MIN 3: Big Dud from Big Sexy & Co.

[Tom Froemming]

Bartolo Colon had been remarkably consistent since joining the Twins, but he had a stinker of a Sunday afternoon in Kansas City. He gave up six runs in the second inning, giving the Twins very little hope to escape KC with a series win.Snapshot (chart via Fangraphs)

Download attachment: Snapshot910.png

Big Sexy lasted just 1.2 innings, but lucky for the Twins they had a couple of fresh long relievers to choose from. But Colon wasn’t the only Minnesota pitcher feeling the Sunday blues right now.

 

John Curtiss got rocked for four runs while recording just a single out. The big blow was a three-run blast to Brandon Moss. Curtiss was among the best relievers in all of the minor leagues this season, but after five big league appearances he holds a 19.64 ERA.

 

Kennys Vargas was 2-for-2 with a two-run homer and a pair of walks. Ehire Adrianza, who started in left field, was the only other Twin to collect two hits. Dillon Gee pitched 3.0 shutout innings of relief.

 

Not much else to say about this one. The Twins got crushed. They’ll have tomorrow off to lick their wounds and prepare to host the Padres for two games.

 

Standings

Both the Yankees and Angels games were still in progress at the time this published. At the moment, the Twins sit 3.0 games back of New York and hold a 1.5 game advantage over Anaheim.

 

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: Bullpen910.png

Looking Ahead

Mon: Off

Tue: Twins (Kyle Gibson) vs. Padres (Travis Wood), 7:10 pm CT

Wed: Twins (Ervin Santana) vs. Padres (Dinelson Lamet), 7:10 pm CT

 

Looking Back

KC 5, MIN 2: Molitor Pushes All the Wrong Buttons in Loss

MIN 8, KC 5: Rosario Drives in 4, Hildenberger Holds it Together

MIN 4, KC 2: Comeback Complete

 

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[Dantes929]

2 of 4 at KC only hurts because we won the first two.   Its really not a bad reesult.   I hate days off when the Twins have been on a good streak.   This break probably comes at a good time.

[mickeymental]

well there you have it. i guess the royals and angels obviously wanted to win; the twins and mariners obviously did not.

[h2oface]

Press your luck long enough, and the inevitable will happen, and repeat itself. Nothing sexy about it.

 

And Molitor only has Busenitz throw 5 pitches in 5 days, 6 with the day off coming.

[Doubles]

As good as Colon has been, 85 MPH fastballs will only get you so far in today's game. Was bound to happen, I'm glad it didn't happen before today.

[Rosterman]

Knowing when to pull. And for guys like Curtiss, picking the right batters and situations. With 17 hurlers on your staff, you can use them for one batter situations, if you like. 

[Florida Loggerman]

first time post, really like the solid input and comments on the Twins Daily site, life time Twins fan living in NE Jax Fl, haven't been overly impressed from day one with the Molitor hire. seems to be a sub par game mgr, and his choice of pitching coach help isn't much better,just my 2 cents main issue, these guys: Ty Dufy, lord save us all, Ryan the "I can't get anybody out Pressley; Tomkin, wow, really bad, how many years and millions spent on Phil Hughes, he was shot out when the Yankees shipped him too us,when it's important to do so, along with Colon, what a sad state of affairs old worn out retreads, like good ole days of Gardenhire, Dillion Gee, Colon , we don't have a true capt. haven't sincwe T Kelly retired. hope the Twins can hang on and make the play offs, but not betting on it with Molitor and Allen, horrible pitching staff, beyond not acceptable, it was bad going into the start of the season, and now, it's a joke Houston is a young stud, and do they do, they sign Verlander, the Twins get Colon who tops out at 84mph, one a week

[DJSim22]

I'd be happy if Curtiss didn't pitch the rest of the season. 

[DJSim22]

first time post, really like the solid input and comments on the Twins Daily site, life time Twins fan living in NE Jax Fl, haven't been overly impressed from day one with the Molitor hire. seems to be a sub par game mgr, and his choice of pitching coach help isn't much better,just my 2 cents main issue, these guys: Ty Dufy, lord save us all, Ryan the "I can't get anybody out Pressley; Tomkin, wow, really bad, how many years and millions spent on Phil Hughes, he was shot out when the Yankees shipped him too us,when it's important to do so, along with Colon, what a sad state of affairs old worn out retreads, like good ole days of Gardenhire, Dillion Gee, Colon , we don't have a true capt. haven't sincwe T Kelly retired. hope the Twins can hang on and make the play offs, but not betting on it with Molitor and Allen, horrible pitching staff, beyond not acceptable, it was bad going into the start of the season, and now, it's a joke Houston is a young stud, and do they do, they sign Verlander, the Twins get Colon who tops out at 84mph, one a week

Duffey is one who I don't know what to do with. Pressley is frustrating because he has stuff, but can't seem to get anyone out. I don't know who Tomkin is. Gee definitely can fill into a Swarzak role which is beneficial and to get him on waivers is a real nice pick up. Colon has mostly been good. I view him like a knuckler, he's either on and frustrating the batters or he gets rocked. He deserves more starts.

 

Houston has prospects and is making their run. I also would bet the farm that Detroit had no interest trading him here, and none of us knows what he thinks of the Twins. Ans as far as Houston goes, I never want to be a fan of a team who intentionally loses.

[Old Twins Cap]

Gotta respect KC and the run they have made with their core group.  They knew this was their last bite at the apple and they had the motivation to hammer the Twins one last time.

 

Done with that now.  KC will not look the same next year.

 

Twins eclipsed them this year, won the series, lead in the standings and have the better team.

[Dantes929]

 

I'd be happy if Curtiss didn't pitch the rest of the season. 

I'd be happier if he pitched a lot the rest of the season and did well.

 

[Mike Sixel]

 

well there you have it. i guess the royals and angels obviously wanted to win; the twins and mariners obviously did not.

 

excellent use of narrative, btw. It put a smile on my face.

[ThejacKmp]

 

Gotta respect KC and the run they have made with their core group.  They knew this was their last bite at the apple and they had the motivation to hammer the Twins one last time.

 

Done with that now.  KC will not look the same next year.

 

Twins eclipsed them this year, won the series, lead in the standings and have the better team.

 

Yeah I want Cain to sign in the NL so badly. Sick of facing that guy.

[Darius]

This team just can't capitalize on the opportunities that keep getting dropped into their lap.

[DocBauer]

Hey, you have days where you just lose and lose badly. We still won 2 out of 4. I just hate that it feels like we "lost" game 3 instead of them winning.

 

Colon has been quality and a huge boon to this team. One really bad day doesn't ruin what he's done and may yet do the remainder of the season.

 

I still really like the arms that Duffey and Pressly have, and all their potential. But both are just becoming very frustrating.

[Tom Froemming]

 

first time post, really like the solid input and comments on the Twins Daily site, life time Twins fan living in NE Jax Fl, ...

Welcome! I hope you and your loved ones are making it through the hurricane OK and that this place can be a healthy distraction from any real life issues Irma may be causing. 

 

It is pretty remarkable how far this team has gotten with so few reliable pitchers. Says a lot about how awesome the lineup has been, both on offense and defense. Here's hoping another couple pitchers can pull a Gibby and get hot out of the blue.