Article: MIN 3, MIL 1: Odorizzi Ks 10, LoMo Delivers Go-Ahead Hit

[Tom Froemming]

You just knew that sooner or later a few bounces were bound to go the Twins way. That was the case Sunday afternoon, and here’s hoping we’ll see that continue. Jake Odorizzi struck out 10 batters, Max Kepler and Logan Morrison delivered a couple of big hits and Fernando Rodney struck out the side in the ninth.Snapshot (chart via FanGraphs)

Download attachment: Snapshot520.png Download attachment: WinEx520.png

This was Odorizzi’s first double-digit strikeout game since April 5, 2016. The only run he gave up was on a solo homer. He entered the day with the 15th-lowest ERA among qualified pitchers in the AL and lowered that mark to 3.17 with this performance.

 

The Twins’ first run of the game was thanks in large part to the legs of Byron Buxton. He led off the fifth inning with a solid single, stole second base and advanced to third thanks to an error on the throw down to second. Kepler drove him in with a single to center field (which came against lefty Dan Jennings).

 

This game was tied at 1-1 heading into the bottom of the eighth, but the Twins had a few more bounces go their way. After falling behind 0-2, Brian Dozier drew a leadoff walk. He advanced to second base on a wild pitch, and with first base open Kepler drew a walk (against left-hander Boone Logan).

 

Eddie Rosario made contact on an oopsies check swing, but it ended up working out essentially like a bunt, as the runners advanced. Eduardo Escobar was intentionally walked to load ‘em up for Morrison.

 

It was a Logan vs. Logan matchup, as Morrison dug in against Boone. LoMo won the battle, putting an easy swing on a ball that jumped off his bat and nearly left the park. Instead, it was a two-run single that put the Twins up for good. I think this means Boone Logan has to change his name now.

Rodney was electric in the ninth, striking out the side on just 13 pitches, nine of which were strikes. This was his ninth-straight scoreless appearance and his ERA is down to 2.87 on the season.

 

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: Bullpen520.png

Next Three Games

Mon vs. DET, 7:10 pm CT

Tue vs. DET, 7:10 pm CT

Wed vs. DET, 12:10 pm CT

 

Last Three Games

MIL 5, MIN 4: Jake Cave Homers in MLB Debut

MIL 8, MIN 3: Gibson Falters, Mauer Exits Due to Neck Injury

MIN 4, STL 1: Berrios is Back

 

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[Mike Sixel]

Nice win. That Odorizzi trade is quite good. Maybe they should consider more like that.

[Danchat]

 

Nice win. That Odorizzi trade is quite good. Maybe they should consider more like that.

Too bad most teams aren't willing to ship off guys for so little like the Rays did. Odorizzi's been even better than I thought he would, with his only real downside being that he's going to get 6 innings max. I'll take that from a 3rd or 4th starter any day.

[Halsey Hall]

1-1 when I hit the links.  So nice to see we got a Win. 

[Brandon]

Odorizzi still averages about 1 HR per 5 innings pitched. Buxton in the OF helps keeps his hits down if he would walk fewer people he could be a number 2 starter here.

[Broker]

 

Odorizzi still averages about 1 HR per 5 innings pitched. Buxton in the OF helps keeps his hits down if he would walk fewer people he could be a number 2 starter here.

One homer every 5 innings or so is very acceptable as long as there isn't anybody on when the ball leaves the park. I'm glad we have him.

[Vanimal46]

1-1 when I hit the links. So nice to see we got a Win.

What'd you shoot today?

[DocBauer]

It was a good, well played game overall. Discouraging the opportunities we slept slip away, but a couple key plays and hits win the day! Really stinks Odorizzi couldn't get the win, he really deserved it.

 

I know it's only 1 game, but Buxton looked much better at the plate today, much more comfortable and confident. Sitting yesterday and his talk with Molitor might have actually helped.

 

Rodney has been on fire after his rough start to the year. If only we could have predicted that. (Sarcasm)

 

I'm as frustrated as anyone for the poor/inconsistent hitting and lack of clutch hitting. And there is no way for Escobar and Rosario to carry the team forever by themselves. And we know Dozier runs a little hot and cold, especially to begin the season. Polanco has been lut all year. Buxton missed time. Sano is out. Castro is out and was playing hurt when in. The bench is weaker than it should be, etc, etc, yada, yada.

 

Still, I winning record for May. Believe we are 2 games above .500. Despite poor or inconsistent performances, injuries and the such, this team has been playing much better ball. And even the frustrating losses have been mostly all close games. There was a conversation in another thread concerning the offense, and Riverbrian noted how many other teams have young players as well. Still, I feel it has to be pointed out...yet again...Rosario, Buxton, Kepler, Sano and the suspended Polanco are all 23-26yo, (Garver is 27yo rookie catcher with potential), and, overall, have completed less than 3 full ML seasons. I still have a lot of faith in the potential for this offense.

[jkcarew]

120 games to play and 52 against Detroit, KC, and Chicago. That’s 43% of the remaining schedule. Of course Cleveland has basically the same schedule, and the Twins are 6 back in the wild-card...so, not in a great spot to be sure. But, if this team could get its act together...particularly offensively...it’s still possible that wins would come in bunches.

[mickeymental]

1.5 gb. fascinating.

[jtkoupal]

Got Detroit coming in for a 3 game set. Gotta take at least 2 of those. The Twins can ill-afford to drop a series to a team like Detroit, hot or not. Gotta inch back to .500 while the Indians are giving us a fighting chance.

 

Have a nice evening and get ready for Ron Gardenhire, Twins Fans!

[ashbury]

Got Detroit coming in for a 3 game set. Gotta take at least 2 of those.

I'd like a sweep.

[jtkoupal]

 

I'd like a sweep.

We all would like a sweep. But let's focus on taking baby steps. The Tigers like to play us tough and our offense is futile right now. Gotta pitch them tough to overcome that.

[jokin]

 

1.5 gb. fascinating.

 

The word that comes to me is stupefying.

[Mike Sixel]

I prefer mind boggling.