Article: MIN 7, LAA 5: Jake Cave Sparks a Fire

[Tom Froemming]

Injuries create opportunity. Unfortunately for the Twins, there hasn’t really been anyone who’s jumped out and seized those opportunities, until now … maybe?

 

In his first start since being recalled from Rochester, Jake Cave went on a rampage. He was 3-for-4 with a two-run homer, a double and an RBI single, providing a much-needed boost to the Twins offense.Snapshot (chart via FanGraphs)

Current record: 28-34

Fernando Romero: 52 Game Score, 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 K, 2 BB, 64.9% strikes

Bullpen: 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 K, 3 BB

Lineup: 3-for-9 w/RISP, 7 LOB

Top three per WPA: Cave .225, Adrianza .158, Morrison .111

Download attachment: WinEx610.png

Cave, who was acquired via a trade with the Yankees in mid March, hit a home run in his MLB debut back on May 19. He got only a three-game cameo before being sent back to Rochester. He reacted exactly as you’d hope. Cave went on a tear, hitting .315/.377/.556 with four home runs over 15 games with the Red Wings, forcing his way back up to Target Field.

 

With Byron Buxton out and Ryan LaMarre hitting just .194/.265/.258 over his last 24 games, Cave has an excellent opportunity to make an impression. Some players are never afforded such a chance. If today’s game was any indication, Cave intends on making the most of his opportunity.

I think it’s about time we start calling Eduardo Escobar “Double E.”

 

Escobar now leads all of baseball with 26 doubles. His career high is 35, which he achieved back in 2014. He’s on pace to nearly double that amount. The Twins have played 62 games, he has 26 doubles, so that’s a pace of …

 

Sixty-eight doubles!!!

 

That would break the all-time record, which is held by Earl Webb who hit 67 doubles back in 1931. The last time anybody hit even 60 doubles was 1936. Since the franchise moved to Minnesota, only seven Twins players have even reached 45 doubles, with Justin Morneau’s 47 two-baggers in 2008 representing the team high.

 

Logan Morrison hit a two-run homer, Mitch Garver was 2-for-4 and Ehire Adrianza was 1-for-3 with an RBI triple, a walk and a run scored. Fernando Romero gave up three runs, two earned, in five innings.

 

Taylor Rogers, Addison Reed and Zach Duke each delivered a scoreless inning before the ninth inning was turned into a bit too much of an experience. Fernando Rodney gave up a couple runs in the ninth.

 

Postgame With Cave

Bullpen Usage

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

Download attachment: Bullpen610.png

AL Central Standings

CLE 34-29

DET 31-36 (-5.0)

MIN 28-34 (-5.5)

CHW 22-41 (-12)

KC 22-43 (-13)

 

Next Three Games

Mon OFF

Tue at DET, 6:10 pm CT

Wed at DET, 6:10 pm CT

Thu at DET, 12:10 pm CT

 

Last Three Games

LAA 2, MIN 1: Is This a Rerun?

LAA 4, MIN 2: Bullpen, Bats Spoil Strong Start from Lynn

MIN 7, CHW 2: Berrios CG, Power from the Eds Fuel Twins Victory

 

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[Thrylos]

So the Twins have an 1.000 winning record when Dozier sits,  and a .443 when he plays...

[wsnydes]

We hadn't seen the FRE in at least five days, no wonder he came out for the nineth. Good thing he didn't overwork himself...

[Mike Sixel]

Glad Cave or Wade is getting a chance. About time. Let's see how much he plays.

[mikelink45]

Yes - we need this, a young OF who takes his opportunity.  Time to move past LaMarre and Grossman.  Cave and Wade should be getting their ABs.  Was this Escobar's preview at 2B for next year?  

 

 

[Squirrel]

So the Twins have an 1.000 winning record when Dozier sits,  and a .443 when he plays...

 

Time to bring up Gordon and give Dozier some more rest.

[Han Joelo]

Grossman seems like a decent fit at lead off.

 

I would love it if Cave started putting up Aaron Hick-esque numbers.

 

The Angels seem like they made Romero work.  On one of my live gameday look ins, between chores ( I got a lot done this weekend--thanks for being mediocre, Twins) he was just finishing up an 11 pitch walk to Trout.  Or did it end with a hit?  Yeah, it did--the count was 2-2 for like 7 foul offs in a row.

 

Well, I'm going to try and keep an even keel with this team.  Yay.

[whatyouknowtwinsfan]

 

Time to bring up Gordon and give Dozier some more rest.

 

While I think this is a bit of an exaggeration, might be smart to see what you've got in Gordon the 2nd half of the season. Dozier clearly isn't moving the needle for the team record wise in a positive way right now. Can this team be a winning group with Gordon and without Dozier? As we get closer to Dozier potentially walking, this needs to be a question that gets asked and somewhat answered.

[whatyouknowtwinsfan]

I've never been an advocate of sending a big bat in the middle of the lineup out to the minors if they're struggling, but Sano has options left. When Polanco comes back, does Sano need to see some time at AAA just to get his swing right? Right now he's providing about as much offensive value as Adrianza and is a bigger liability in the field than Adrianza. Just a question.

[jkcarew]

The judges would have accepted “Cave-man Discovers Fire”.

[DocBauer]

Didn't watch the game today, just kept checking in, I made a comment the other day it was too bad there wasn't room for Cave, (With LaMarre), since he seemed to have some ability and was doing well at Rochester. Lo and behold he comes up and creates a huge spark.

 

If the team goes on a roll, you will know who to thank.

[ashbury]

The judges would have accepted “Cave-man Discovers Fire”.

Whoever works in a plausible reference to spelunking in a baseball headline will win teh internets.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Whoever works in a plausible reference to spelunking in a baseball headline will win teh internets.

the strike zone was as narrow as the “Cave Connection” that links together the famous Lumiang and Sumaguing Cave

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g304053-d1656371-Reviews-Lumiang_Cave-Sagada_Mountain_Province_Cordillera_Region_Luzon.html

Edited June 10, 2018 by Sconnie

[Mill1634]

Glad to see Cave is being given a shot. He should be starting every game vs a RHP while Buxton is out. Every. Single. One. 

 

Escobar has been amazing, count me on board the "extend him" train. 

 

Sano has been disappointing, but so hasn't Kepler. We need him to pick up some slack. Nice to see a clean inning from Reed. Need 2 of 3 from Detroit. 

[jtkoupal]

 

So the Twins have an 1.000 winning record when Dozier sits,  and a .443 when he plays...

Good thing Dozier only has approximately 7 weeks left in a Twins uniform

 

[rghrbek]

Grossman still have an option?  Wouldn't mind seeing a platoon with Cave and LeMarre.  Line up is still atrocious

[blindeke]

 

The Angels seem like they made Romero work.  On one of my live gameday look ins, between chores ( I got a lot done this weekend--thanks for being mediocre, Twins) he was just finishing up an 11 pitch walk to Trout.  Or did it end with a hit?  Yeah, it did--the count was 2-2 for like 7 foul offs in a row.

 

 

Romero ended up striking out Trout on an outside fastball, but yeah. That Trout kid might be a decent bat!

[Otto von Ballpark]

Grossman still have an option? Wouldn't mind seeing a platoon with Cave and LeMarre. Line up is still atrocious

No option, but with his salary and limitations, there is a decent chance Grossman would clear waivers and could be outrighted to AAA.

[Mike Sixel]

Or just let him go. He's not a difference maker at all.

[adjacent]

 

Glad to see Cave is being given a shot. He should be starting every game vs a RHP while Buxton is out. Every. Single. One. 

 

Escobar has been amazing, count me on board the "extend him" train. 

 

Sano has been disappointing, but so hasn't Kepler. We need him to pick up some slack. Nice to see a clean inning from Reed. Need 2 of 3 from Detroit. 

Regarding Reed, yes it was good that they didn't score a run on him, but I have to say that 2 of the outs were of the "loud" variety. He was lucky on those two

[Cap'n Piranha]

Trout this year against Twins pitching:

 

2/22 with no XBH, 6 walks, 7 strikeouts, .091/.310/.091.

 

Best player in baseball my butt.

[stringer bell]

No, Ian Kinsler is! The Twins couldn’t get him out. SSS, I guess.

[Platoon]

Romero ended up striking out Trout on an outside fastball, but yeah. That Trout kid might be a decent bat!

Trout? Totally overrated. Something like 1-12 over the weekend. Get someone in that lineup that could hit with RISP and they would have swept the series. Twins pitching handled him with ease.

[puckstopper1]

 

The judges would have accepted “Cave-man Discovers Fire”.

 

I was expecting something like "Twins Cave-in on the Angels", or

 

"Angels Cave to Jake's bat..."

[ThejacKmp]

Really good to see all the Dozier hate. That means he's about to bust out in a big way.

 

Strangely, I predict no one will be commenting "I really thought we should bench him for Gordon, my bad".

[ThejacKmp]

 

Grossman still have an option?  Wouldn't mind seeing a platoon with Cave and LeMarre.  Line up is still atrocious

 

No option, but with his salary and limitations, there is a decent chance Grossman would clear waivers and could be outrighted to AAA.

 

I think a better idea would be to drop Petit. It leaves you a little thin in the middle infield and in danger of losing the DH/needing to play Rosario at 2B in an emergency but Petit isn't playing and is 20 games from being superfluous when Polanco comes back.

[ThejacKmp]

This offseason I was arguing that the Twins should look to move Escobar. They had Dozier and Polanco with Gordon, Javier, Lewis and Arraez coming up. He was superfluous and about to get expensive.

 

Man was I wrong. The Twins missed an opportunity when they didn't sign him this offseason. They probably could've gotten him on a 3 year, $15 million deal. Now they may be paying $15 million for a single year. Oh well, hard to predict this explosion but what a missed opportunity.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I think a better idea would be to drop Petit. It leaves you a little thin in the middle infield and in danger of losing the DH/needing to play Rosario at 2B in an emergency but Petit isn't playing and is 20 games from being superfluous when Polanco comes back.

True. Don't even need a roster spot immediately. In a few days, if we are ready to activate Mauer, we could probably drop Petit.

 

Probably don't have to touch Cave/LaMarre/Grossman until Polanco comes back, or Buxton, or if we want to add a 13th pitcher again.

[ThejacKmp]

 

True. Don't even need a roster spot immediately. In a few days, if we are ready to activate Mauer, we could probably drop Petit.

 

Probably don't have to touch Cave/LaMarre/Grossman until Polanco comes back, or Buxton, or if we want to add a 13th pitcher again.

 

Yeah Buxton back means Cave and LaMarre both go down (unless Cave really hits and forces you to keep him up and platoon with Buxton) and you get that 13th pitcher. To my mind:

 

Polanco = Petit down

Mauer = LaMarre down

Buxton = Cave down

 

Kind of tricky since Mauer seems likely to be first back and Buxton might be third.

[slash129]

 

Yes - we need this, a young OF who takes his opportunity.  Time to move past LaMarre and Grossman.  Cave and Wade should be getting their ABs.  Was this Escobar's preview at 2B for next year?  

 

Cave probably needs more than one game to show that he "takes the opportunity", but he certainly passes the eye test on being a plus across the board over LaMarre.  LaMarre still has a BABIP over 400, so it will still probably get worse.  Production from Cave certainly makes him unnecessary on this roster.  Replacing Grossman with Wade doesn't seem to be quite as simple.  That would mean four left-handed OF, which really limits matchup options.  I'm also not sure that Wade would be a defensive upgrade in the late innings over Rosario, Cave or Kepler.  Grossman's OBP has been trending up after a terrible April, so where does Wade move the needle much?  Well, other than impatient fans wanting to see him debut.