Article: MIN 16, SDP 0: Twins Hit 7 HRs, Set New Record

[Tom Froemming]

There have been more than 200,000 games in the history of Major League Baseball, but a team had never hit home runs in each of the first seven innings … until tonight. The Twins made history Tuesday at Target Field, accomplishing that feat in a blowout of San Diego.Snapshot (chart via Fangraphs)

Download attachment: Sanpshot912.png

Brian Dozier got things started with his 30th homer of the year to lead off the first inning. Then it was Jorge Polanco in the second, Jason Castro in the third, Eddie Rosario in the fourth, Castro again in the fifth, Eduardo Escobar in the sixth and finally Kennys Vargas in the seventh inning. Seeing is believing:

Along with the dingers, there was plenty more to get excited about. Kyle Gibson continued to roll, throwing 6.0 shutout innings of four-hit ball while striking out six batters. Niko Goodrum got his first major league hit, which was well received by the home crowd. Reliever Gabriel Moya made his major league debut and recorded his first strikeout in a clean inning. And both Byron Buxton and Zack Granite made great catches up against the wall in center field.

It doesn’t get any better than this. All together, Castro had three hits, four RBI and scored three runs. Dozier also had a three-hit game, recording his fourth triple of the year. Rosario, Robbie Grossman and Ehire Adrianza all had two hits apiece.

 

Standings

The Yankees lost, so the Twins now trail New York by 3.0 games for the top Wild Card spot. The Angels trail the Twins by 1.5 games for the second spot, their game was still underway at the time this published.

 

Postgame With Castro

Bullpen Usage

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

Download attachment: Bullpen912.png

Looking Ahead

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

Thu: Twins (Jose Berrios) vs. Blue Jays (Brett Anderson), 7:10 pm CT

Fri: Twins (Bartolo Colon) vs. Blue Jays (J.A. Happ), 7:10 pm CT

 

Looking Back

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

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

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

 

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[Brock Beauchamp]

 

There have been more than 200,000 games in the history of Major League Baseball, but a team had never hit home runs in each of the first seven innings … until tonight. 

This is what makes baseball amazing.

[Squirrel]

This is what makes baseball amazing.

Yup. Never know what you'll see on any given night.

[DocBauer]

You knows what baseball is? It's WAY beyond being "America's game". (The NFL has taken over that mantel, to a degree until you factor in longevity vs daily, etc).

 

When was the last time you screamed out "touchdown, field goal, 2 point conversion!"

 

To this day everything is about a base, (including romantic interludes), and a win. In baseball, we measure EVERYTHING. But what we can never fully measure is what baseball brings to us and means to us. Every game is a new day. Filled with hope and possibility.

 

This team gets it.

 

Win or lose, they fight.

 

[mickeymental]

trout grounded out to seal the 1-0 angels loss. guess that means he didn't wanna win.

[jun]

The offense is good, I don't think the Twins need to add any veteran hitter next season.

1b: Mauer

2b: Dozier

3b: Sano

SS: Polanco

CF: Buxton

LF: Rosario

RF: Kepler

C: Castro

DH: Grossman

 

Bench: Escobar

Vargas

Garver

Adrianza or Granite

 

Gimenez should not return and Goodrum is not ready.

 

The Twins really need to address pitching during the off season, especially the bullpen.

The starting pitching is legit. Santana, Berrios, Gibson, Mejia and Slegers might be fine.

Bullpen candidate: Rogers, Hildenberger, Busenitz, Moya, Gee, Belisle, Hughes and some effective veterans.

[Doubles]

While I can certainly appreciate the future, and it looks bright here, no question- I'm really just enjoying this season in this moment. They don't always win, but I feel like these guys bust their collective *** and bring it every night. I'mma keep trying to stay in the moment and enjoy my favorite baseball club playing relevant games, in a playoff spot, in mid-September. Never would've thought this was possible in April, or even May.

Edited September 13, 2017 by Doubles

[Doubles]

One thing that rankles me a bit are these "playoff percentage" thingies.

 

This morning, for example, Buster Olney tweets the playoff chances of the NYY (97.3%), Twins (55.7%), Angels (21.5%), and Royals (9%). It's cool to weigh the Twins chances against the team closest to them, but it's much easier for me to conceptualize that the Twins have a 2 game lead with 18 to play than it is to ingest these percentages.

 

And, yes. Stay offa my lawn, you **** kids.

[BobAzar]

I know it was low leverage, but it was nice to see Perkins pitch effectively. Im sentimental, but I want him to be an effective pitcher again, even for a short time.

[slash129]

Moya was really fun to watch at the end, but I feel like he is going to get called for a balk at least once a game.  That's a crap-ton of pre-pitch motion that he's got going!

[Darius]

trout grounded out to seal the 1-0 angels loss. guess that means he didn't wanna win.

I'm thinking they should probably trade him for starting pitching. If nobody will take him at this point, drop him off the 40-man.

[Darius]

One thing that rankles me a bit are these "playoff percentage" thingies.

 

This morning, for example, Buster Olney tweets the playoff chances of the NYY (97.3%), Twins (55.7%), Angels (21.5%), and Royals (9%). It's cool to weigh the Twins chances against the team closest to them, but it's much easier for me to conceptualize that the Twins have a 2 game lead with 18 to play than it is to ingest these percentages.

 

And, yes. Stay offa my lawn, you **** kids.

I like it. It shows exaxtly what the 2 games in 18 means (roughly a coin flip).

 

Different strokes, I guess.

[Florida Loggerman]

my hope is that the Twins will be able to come down to earth in todays game, and simply not let last nights home run barrage effect todays important finale with the weak Padres.  Great over kill win, hopefully we have kept enough power in our bats so we can enjoy a home run or two today behind Santana when we really need itl;  Love watching the team pick up the Defense, Tom Kelly has to be sitting at home and similing, Defense was his strong point. Keep up the strong finish Twins. not sure if our mess of middle arms can keep us in the final weeks AL WC race

[Respy]

Tonight will be an interesting matchup for the hot Twins offense against a hot pitcher in Lamet.  The young fireballer has an ERA in the mid 2's since the All-Star break, and well over a K per inning.  Twins need to make sure they take the walks he will give, then come through with RISP.

[Mike Sixel]

 

trout grounded out to seal the 1-0 angels loss. guess that means he didn't wanna win.

 

excellent use of narrative!

[Dantes929]

 

One thing that rankles me a bit are these "playoff percentage" thingies.

This morning, for example, Buster Olney tweets the playoff chances of the NYY (97.3%), Twins (55.7%), Angels (21.5%), and Royals (9%). It's cool to weigh the Twins chances against the team closest to them, but it's much easier for me to conceptualize that the Twins have a 2 game lead with 18 to play than it is to ingest these percentages.

And, yes. Stay offa my lawn, you **** kids.

At the trade deadline they were less than 7%.    I said they were just a modest winning streak (5 of 6 or so)  from quadrupling that percentage.    Of course, they had to actually go on that modest winning streak.     Same thing here.   Its a little better than a coin flip because they have a 2 game lead and a weak schedule but they have to actually win those weak schedule games not to mention there are other teams that can go on a decent winning streak.       Fun times.

[DaveW]

I know it was low leverage, but it was nice to see Perkins pitch effectively. Im sentimental, but I want him to be an effective pitcher again, even for a short time.

After the robbed home run, he looked halfway decent. I'd love to see Perk continue his career to be honest. Even if he is just a 4th or 5th option out of a pen.

[DaveW]

At the trade deadline they were less than 7%. I said they were just a modest winning streak (5 of 6 or so) from quadrupling that percentage. Of course, they had to actually go on that modest winning streak. Same thing here. Its a little better than a coin flip because they have a 2 game lead and a weak schedule but they have to actually win those weak schedule games not to mention there are other teams that can go on a decent winning streak. Fun times.

Yeah the problem isn't so much the Angels, it's that there are like 4 other teams within striking distance, where a 10-2 run would almost certainly catipult them into the spot if the Twins play .500 or slightly above .500 ball

[ThejacKmp]

 

The offense is good, I don't think the Twins need to add any veteran hitter next season.
1b: Mauer
2b: Dozier
3b: Sano
SS: Polanco
CF: Buxton
LF: Rosario
RF: Kepler
C: Castro
DH: Grossman

Bench: Escobar
Vargas
Garver
Adrianza or Granite

Gimenez should not return and Goodrum is not ready.

The Twins really need to address pitching during the off season, especially the bullpen.
The starting pitching is legit. Santana, Berrios, Gibson, Mejia and Slegers might be fine.
Bullpen candidate: Rogers, Hildenberger, Busenitz, Moya, Gee, Belisle, Hughes and some effective veterans.

 

They could use a better 1B bat than Vargas. I know he went yard off of a AAA pitcher last night but he just doesn't have it. I want them to find a 1 year deal for a lefty-mashing DH/1B/OF type to take that spot.

 

But otherwise, no reason to mess with anything. Escobar and Grossman etc. also bridge the gap to your Rookers and Gordons who are coming up.

Adrianza over Granite. He can hit right handed and play IF. His OF defense has been un-infielder-like.

[ThejacKmp]

 

The Twins really need to address pitching during the off season, especially the bullpen.
The starting pitching is legit. Santana, Berrios, Gibson, Mejia and Slegers might be fine.
Bullpen candidate: Rogers, Hildenberger, Busenitz, Moya, Gee, Belisle, Hughes and some effective veterans.

 

The starting pitching needs some depth. They don't need to go get a front-end starter (though I wouldn't be heart-broken) but this year shows that you need some depth. May should be back but who knows what May. Gonsalves and Romero and Jorge are barking at the door but not sure they're there yet. I'd like one back-end starter on a short deal (maybe someone trying to build value after injury?) who the Twins can deal if a young guy needs to come up.

[USAFChief]

 

Yup. Never know what you'll see on any given night.

You might see Kyle Gibson toss six innings of shutout ball with six K's.

 

 

[Brock Beauchamp]

Yeah the problem isn't so much the Angels, it's that there are like 4 other teams within striking distance, where a 10-2 run would almost certainly catipult them into the spot if the Twins play .500 or slightly above .500 ball

Thankfully, three of those teams are in the AL West and they all play each other down the stretch. That decreases the odds of going on a tear and passing the Twins.

[Squirrel]

 

You might see Kyle Gibson toss six innings of shutout ball with six K's.

See? There's always something!

[howieramone2]

 

The offense is good, I don't think the Twins need to add any veteran hitter next season.
1b: Mauer
2b: Dozier
3b: Sano
SS: Polanco
CF: Buxton
LF: Rosario
RF: Kepler
C: Castro
DH: Grossman

Bench: Escobar
Vargas
Garver
Adrianza or Granite

Gimenez should not return and Goodrum is not ready.

The Twins really need to address pitching during the off season, especially the bullpen.
The starting pitching is legit. Santana, Berrios, Gibson, Mejia and Slegers might be fine.
Bullpen candidate: Rogers, Hildenberger, Busenitz, Moya, Gee, Belisle, Hughes and some effective veterans.

Vargas won't be back, and I'd be very surprised if they keep Garver over Gimenez. I don't believe they trust Garver defensively, and Gimenez is a proven winner. If it's not broken, don't fix it.

[Cap'n Piranha]

Two big moves make the Twins a legit contender next year.

 

1--sign Moustakas or Hosmer (especially if there is no qualifying offer attached)

2--trade Gordon, two out of Gonsalves/Romero/Thorpe, and a bullpen prospect TB likes for Archer.

 

Your rotation is Archer, Santana, Berrios, Mejia, Gibson

 

Your lineup is Dozier, Mauer, Hosmer/Moustakas, Sano, Rosario, Kepler, Buxton, Polanco, Castro/Garver

 

Your bullpen is still an issue, but the easiest one to fix, and as long as it's not a dumpster fire, 95 wins is a real possibility.

[drjim]

 

Two big moves make the Twins a legit contender next year.

1--sign Moustakas or Hosmer (especially if there is no qualifying offer attached)
2--trade Gordon, two out of Gonsalves/Romero/Thorpe, and a bullpen prospect TB likes for Archer.

Your rotation is Archer, Santana, Berrios, Mejia, Gibson

Your lineup is Dozier, Mauer, Hosmer/Moustakas, Sano, Rosario, Kepler, Buxton, Polanco, Castro/Garver

Your bullpen is still an issue, but the easiest one to fix, and as long as it's not a dumpster fire, 95 wins is a real possibility.

 

Qualifying offer no longer costs a draft pick.

 

That isn't enough for Archer.

[drjim]

Man, that was a serious pounding. Sounds like Sano might be back within a week too. Twins are setting up to be a little frisky in the playoffs.

[Blake]

 

Vargas won't be back, and I'd be very surprised if they keep Garver over Gimenez. I don't believe they trust Garver defensively, and Gimenez is a proven winner. If it's not broken, don't fix it.

I think if Garver is average defensively but has a better bat, Garver stays. 

 

But, it's an opinion, which, we all know what that's worth.

[John Bonnes]

I very much like that every high leverage arm in the bullpen has had three days of complete rest. 

[gocgo]

 

I know it was low leverage, but it was nice to see Perkins pitch effectively. Im sentimental, but I want him to be an effective pitcher again, even for a short time.

Yeah, he kinda got bailed out by a great play from Granite that was about an inch from going over the wall.  I'm not convinced that Perk will ever truly make his way back.