Article: CLE 4, MIN 2: Twins Lose, Clinch Postseason Berth Anyway

[Tom Froemming]

The Twins got to closer Cody Allen but were unable to overcome Cleveland, so all eyes were on the Angels-White Sox game at the conclusion of this one. If the White Sox can win, the Twins would clinch the second Wild Card spot. UPDATE: The White Sox won it on a walk-off homer in the 10th inning, the Twins are in the postseason!Snapshot (chart via Fangraphs)

Download attachment: SnapShot927.png

The Twins displayed their typical “no retreat, no surrender” mentality we’ve seen all season, but their comeback effort fell short. Entering the ninth inning, the Twins had just a pair of doubles and a walk, all of which came with two outs. It was another impressive display from the Cleveland staff, who had allowed 60 fewer earned runs than any other AL team heading into tonight.

 

But Brian Dozier led off the ninth inning with a single and Jorge Polanco drove him in on his 13th home run of the season to make the score 4-2 Cleveland. Byron Buxton added a two-out single to keep the rally alive, but Max Kepler grounded out to end the game.

 

UPDATE: Who cares!?!?!?!? Let's just skip right to the celebration:

OK, back to Wednesday night's game. Adalberto Mejia lasted just 3.2 innings, continuing a trend of brief starts for the 24-year-old. In 21 starts, Mejia is averaging less than five-innings per outing and has only gone 6.0 innings or more in four of those starts. Still, he’s posted a respectable 4.50 ERA over his rookie season.

 

Danny Salazar was electric tonight for Cleveland, but luckily was on a pitch count. He struck out nine batters over 4.2 one-hit innings. Unfortunately, things didn’t get any easier against the bullpen.

 

A bright spot for the Twins tonight was the bullpen, as five relievers combined to limit Cleveland to one earned run over 4.1 innings. Another unearned run scored due to an error by Eduardo Escobar. John Curtiss pitched 1.2 no-hit innings in relief and had one strikeout and hit a batter. That’s three-straight scoreless appearances

for Curtiss now.

 

AL Wild Card Standings

THE TWINS ARE IN THE PLAYOFFS!!!!! Go crazy, folks.

 

Bullpen Usage

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

Download attachment: Bullpen927.png

Looking Ahead

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

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

Sat: Twins (Kyle Gibson) vs. Detroit (Buck Farmer), 6:10 pm CT

 

Looking Back

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

MIN 10, DET 4: Deja Vu All Over Again

MIN 10, DET 4: Twins Blow Out Tigers Bullpen

 

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[David HK]

Heh... wasn't able to check in to the game today, but saw the aftermath.  

 

Ahhh, nostalgia---  Pressly and Tonk, the usual suspects, giving it up for the team!

[Rosterman]

I would've set up Mejia to pitch yesterday with Colon pulling illness and have Gibson pitch a crucial game today against Cleveland. Ah, well...what do I know...except that the Twins only have three starters going into the playoffs. No showcasing of Slegers?

[jimbo92107]

Tonkin was very effective in AAA. I would send him down to help Rochester. ;-) 

[Cap'n Piranha]

I think we all thought the Twins would be playing meaningless games in September. Turns out we were right, just in the complete opposite way.

[Shaitan]

The White Sox of all teams!

[DocBauer]

Don't want to mess with guys and get them out of rhythm, but wouldn't mind a Slegers start if it helps set the rotation up, or a few games of Garver, Granite and maybe Goodrum