Article: MIN 8, CLE 6: Twins Use Team Record 10 Pitchers In Victory

[Tom Froemming]

The Twins got a ridiculously short start from Bartolo Colon in what was a ridiculously long game against Cleveland, but Brian Dozier delivered a three-run homer in the eighth inning that lifted the Twins to victory. The Twins ended up using 10 pitchers, which was a team record for a nine-inning game.Snapshot (chart via Fangraphs)

Download attachment: IMG_0689.PNG

Download attachment: IMG_0690.PNG

Dozier led off the game with a double high off the left field wall, came around to score the first run and finished 3-for-5 with that three-run homer, his 33rd, and three runs scored.

 

 

Byron Buxton successfully stole his 23rd-consecutive base, setting a new team record. He also made another insanely good catch. Bonus points for it coming in the eighth inning of a one-run game. Then he delivered an RBI single in the top of the ninth to provide a huge insurance run.

 

 

Eddie Rosario was also a handful for Cleveland pitchers, going 4-for-5 with his 27th homer. Rosario had a .660 OPS over the first month of the season, but quickly turned into as steady a contributor as you could ask for. He's had at least at .810 OPS in every month since (league average OPS is .751). There have been hot streaks from a number of other hitters that have overshadowed Rosario’s contributions to a degree, but Rosie has built a body of work over the summer that is truly impressive.

 

Unfortunately, you still have to take the bad with the good when it comes to Rosario. He represented the go-ahead run after a leadoff double in the top of the fifth. Eduardo Escobar sent a chopper to the left side in front of Rosario, who was thrown out trying to advance to third. Conventional wisdom, for good reason, says you don't try to go to third unless the ball is hit between you and second base. Sigh. Oh that Eddie, when will he learn? The next batter hit into a double play.

 

Bartolo Colon gave up two runs in the first inning and was removed from the game due to illness. There was a bizarre managerial moment in the third inning in which Paul Molitor was denied a request to make a pitching change.

 

Tyler Duffey had allowed the first two batters of that inning to reach, and Neil Allen decided to go out and have a chat prior to Duffey facing lefty Jay Bruce. Duffey fell behind 2-0, which prompted Molitor to hop out of the dugout and call for Buddy Boshers … which was against the rules. I guess since Allen had already visited Duffey in that plate appearance, a change couldn't be made until it was over.

 

Luckily that fiasco didn't matter much, as the rest of the pen provided 6.2 innings of two-run ball. Dillon Gee really got this contest back under control for the Twins, as he provided two scoreless, one-hit innings early on.

 

AL Wild Card Standings

WC1: Yankees 88-69 (+5.0)

WC2: Twins 83-74

Angels 78-79 (-5.0)

***ALL OTHER TEAMS ELIMINATED***

 

Postgame With Dozier

Bullpen Usage

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

Download attachment: IMG_0692.PNG

Looking Ahead

Wed: Twins (Adalberto Mejia) at Cleveland (Danny Salazar), 6:10 pm CT

Thu: Twins (Ervin Santana) at Cleveland (Carlos Carrasco), 11:10 am CT

Fri: Twins (Jose Berrios) vs. Detroit (Matthew Boyd), 7:10 pm CT

 

Looking Back

MIN 10, DET 4: Deja Vu All Over Again

MIN 10, DET 4: Twins Blow Out Tigers Bullpen

MIN 7, DET 3: Gibson, Offense Keep Rolling

 

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[wabene]

Dropin a snowman on Cleveland! Ten pitcher Molly! I like it!

[big dog]

Kipnis hit that ball in the 8th and my immediate thought was "Rocket- Buxton's got it".  He's unbelievable.

 

This was one of the most exciting Twins game of my nearly 57 years, most of them slavishly watching the Twins.

[Shaitan]

I like most things about the idea of September callups. Game speed is not one of them.

[Rosterman]

I would've brought Mejias in from the pen and pitch Gibson tomorrow.

 

[slash129]

Such a fun season! Colon's complete game, Pujol's #600, now this jack by Dozier and unbelievable catch by Buxton! Keep it coming!

[Connor Gould]

That was a fun game even if it wasn't that important. So close to clinching.

[Dantes929]

I thought it was pretty important.    Gets us closer to clinching, was important for home field advantage for Cleveland and it lets us know that even with Colon starting and our entire bullpen on display the team is at least capable of beating the hottest  team in baseball      Tom.   Please tell me that Thursday start time is wrong.

[Rhino and Compass]

Not only are the Twins nearly to the postseason, they are going to have a few games to coast to the finish and make sure the team is fresh for New York. That's crazy

[ThejacKmp]

I know we've been talking NYC for awhile now but the Yankees only trail the Red Sox by three games. And the Sox finish with four against Houston, which will be trying to get home field for the playoffs.

 

An even better situation -- the Yankees and Red Sox finish with the same record. They would play a Game 163 to determine who is the wild card host. That would take place immediately after the season and likely pit Sale vs. Severino. The Twins would get an extra rest day and avoid the loser's best pitcher.

 

I think I'm cheering for that?

[highlander]

It doesn't matter what happens from here on out, the Twins won their way into the playoffs. With everything on the line to win 5 straight is winning your way into the playoffs! Now 1 BIG bitch slap to the Yankees and this year will rival ALL but the World Series years!

[Richie the Rally Goat]

I thought it was pretty important. Gets us closer to clinching, was important for home field advantage for Cleveland and it lets us know that even with Colon starting and our entire bullpen on display the team is at least capable of beating the hottest team in baseball Tom. Please tell me that Thursday start time is wrong.

rest easy my friend. according to my handy Twins schedule, start on Thursday is 11:10 AM, not 11:10 PM. You won't get any work done on Thursday afternoon instead of not getting any work done on Friday morning

[yarnivek1972]

I'm pretty sure Gibson is slated to start Friday now.

[Respy]

First time the Indians pitchers have allowed 8 runs since August 22nd.

[BobAzar]

 

Kipnis hit that ball in the 8th and my immediate thought was "Rocket- Buxton's got it".  He's unbelievable.

 

 

 

My thought was "oh man, thats a shot, I dont think even Buxton can get that". You'd think I would have learned this late in the season. 

 

[amjgt]

I always enjoy these posts. Thanks for doing them.

 

Some of the pitchers were missed in the bullpen usage chart.

 

I was wondering what Dozier WPA was, but for some reason the chart didn't have that info today

[ThejacKmp]

Pressley threw four pitches, Hildy eight. And Duffey is not shaded in.

 

I now hate these writeups. Tom Froemming has gone from Kirby Puckett the player to Kirby Puckett the retiree. If anyone needs me, I'll be in the bathroom crying.

[FattCrapps]

That was a fun game to be at.  

[Old Twins Cap]

Finally.

 

Buxton runs on the first pitch in the Castro at bat late.

 

Need that level of excellence.  No reason to wait around on 1B when you have 99% chance of being on 2B and no DP in order.

[Tom Froemming]

    Tom.   Please tell me that Thursday start time is wrong.

Yep, it was. Just feels wrong to type am for a game time.

 

I always enjoy these posts. Thanks for doing them.Some of the pitchers were missed in the bullpen usage chart. I was wondering what Dozier WPA was, but for some reason the chart didn't have that info today

Thanks, fixed.

[Tom Froemming]

Sorry to have let everybody down, lol I'm on vacation in Duluth right now and decided to take a crack at doing one of these things on my iPad. Had some hiccups.

[Dantes929]

 

rest easy my friend. according to my handy Twins schedule, start on Thursday is 11:10 AM, not 11:10 PM. You won't get any work done on Thursday afternoon instead of not getting any work done on Friday morning

Thank you.  Just to be on the safe side I will plan to not get any work done on either day.

[Oldgoat_MN]

I am seldom shy about being critical of Molitor (though that's usually related to sacrifice bunts) so I have to say something here. 

I'm no expert at bullpen management, but I like Molly's approach last night. He saw the Twins were swinging hot bats. He did everything he could to give the boys a chance to win this game.

I like it.

[laloesch]

 

I am seldom shy about being critical of Molitor (though that's usually related to sacrifice bunts) so I have to say something here. 

I'm no expert at bullpen management, but I like Molly's approach last night. He saw the Twins were swinging hot bats. He did everything he could to give the boys a chance to win this game.

I like it.

 

yes i agree.  I am not a fan of Molitor, but last night he did alright.

[twinssouth]

Sorry to have let everybody down, lol I'm on vacation in Duluth right now and decided to take a crack at doing one of these things on my iPad. Had some hiccups.

 

 

 

Are you ice fishing up their?

[twinssouth]

Of course you know I'm kidding, lived up their for 7 years, September was best time of the year. Fall colors were awesome .

[Dantes929]

 

Finally.

 

Buxton runs on the first pitch in the Castro at bat late.

 

Need that level of excellence.  No reason to wait around on 1B when you have 99% chance of being on 2B and no DP in order.

His success rate last year proved that he cannot actually out run a thrown baseball.   He still needs a good jump.   Also,  there is theory that him being on 1st is a disruptive force to the pitcher and that the batter will get better pitches to hit because of it.   If he has the 99% chance because he sometimes waits around and is thus unpredictable then that would be the reason for waiting around.    Does beg the question though.   If he is disruptive and the other team concedes that he is going to get the steal no matter what can they simply give him a pass to 2nd base like they now do for intentional walks?

[ThejacKmp]

 

His success rate last year proved that he cannot actually out run a thrown baseball.   He still needs a good jump.   Also,  there is theory that him being on 1st is a disruptive force to the pitcher and that the batter will get better pitches to hit because of it.   If he has the 99% chance because he sometimes waits around and is thus unpredictable then that would be the reason for waiting around.    Does beg the question though.   If he is disruptive and the other team concedes that he is going to get the steal no matter what can they simply give him a pass to 2nd base like they now do for intentional walks?

 

I think they could just not hold him and he would take the base.

 

There is something to be said for it hurting the batter too. They have to wait out multiple throw overs and can't get in a rhythm. They also are likely trying not to swing to give Buck a pitch or two and that can leave them passing up some nice pitches or in the hole.

[Cap'n Piranha]

With the win last night, it is now guaranteed that Sunday the 1st will not be our last game of the season. Game 163 is now the worst case scenario.

[nokomismod]

What a fun game! We will be watching Tuesday's Wild Card game at Grumpy's Downtown.