Article: MIN 8, LAA 7: Twins Squeak Out Victory

[Tom Froemming]

On a beautiful Wednesday day game, the Minnesota Twins were able to pick up another series win, this time against the Los Angeles Angels, as the bats came back to life to help Jake Odorizzi pick up his sixth win of the season.

 

The Twins came into this game on a little offensive slump in the past three games, scoring only 10 runs in those games. However, today, they were able to string together 10 hits and eight runs as they won 8-7 and improve to 27-15.Box Score

Odorizzi: 5.1 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 64.3% strikes

Home Runs: Buxton (2), Castro (6)

Multi-Hit Games: Polanco (2-for-4, 3B), Schoop (2-for-4), Adrianza (2-for-3, 2B, BB)

WPA of +0.1: Adrianza .121, Buxton .109

WPA of -0.1: None

Download attachment: Win515.png

(chart via FanGraphs)

 

Pitching

Jake Odorizzi has been one of the Twins best pitchers recently, and entered this game with 20 straight scoreless innings. He was able to extend his streak to 22 before giving up a one-out home run in the third inning. Odorizzi didn’t have his cleanest start of the season, giving up a season-high nine hits, but was able to hold the Angels to only three runs.

 

The bullpen was a little shaky today, and in the seventh when Matt Magill gave up a sac fly to Goodwin, which was the first run given up by a bullpen pitcher, who isn’t Trevor Hildenberger, in 12 games. Magill wasn’t charged a run on this as May had given up back-to-back singles right before he was taken out.

 

Trevor Hildenberger continued to struggle on the mound today as he gave up three runs on three hits. He has given up runs in five of his last six outings and it hasn’t been just one run each time either. He has given up two runs four of those outings and three in today’s. It might be time to send Hildenberger down to Triple-A to hopefully get his confidence back up.

 

UPDATE: Hildenberger was optioned to Triple-A after the game.

 

The Angels put together a ninth inning rally, after Hildenberger retired the first batter. The Angles put together four straight hits to get the game to 8-6. Mike Morin came in and surrendered a hit on his first batter, struck out the next batter, but then hit Mike Trout with the bases loaded to bring the game to 8-7. Morin was able to strand three runners as he got Ohtani to ground out to pick up the save.

 

Errors Early

Both teams were a little off in the field at the beginning and it ended up turning into runs for the Twins.

 

In the second inning, C.J. Cron was able to reach off a dropped third strike, and two batters later, Schoop reached on an infield single, and thanks to an error by Cahill, he advanced to second while Cron moved to third. Ehire Adrianza was able to make the Angels pay with a 2-RBI double for the first runs of the game.

 

On the Twins side, the error occurred on one of the weirdest plays. It happened with Odorizzi and Cron, after Ohtani hit a weak comeback that Odorizzi was able to collect. However, Cron was looking for Jonathan Schoop to field the ball, and didn’t even realize Odorizzi had it. This led to Odorizzi throwing to an unprepared Cron, which allowed Ohtani to reach second base. Luckily the Twins were able to make it nothing as Simmons grounded out the next at-bat.

Offense

Byron Buxton was able to hit his second home run of the season in the fifth inning, with Castro adding another the next inning for his sixth of the season. Rosario was able to pick up a hit for his third straight game and get his average back up to about .250. Polanco added two hits, one of them being his fifth triple of the season, as he sits at .331.

What really helped in today’s game was the Twins’ fifth inning on offense when they put together four runs on three hits and a walk. It came at a perfect time when the score was 2-1 to put them up 6-1. Another key component in today’s game was not leaving runners on base, which the Twins kept to only five compared to 14 for the Angels

 

What’s Next?

The Twins get right back in action tomorrow as they travel to Seattle to play the Mariners in a four-game series. They will see the Angels again next week as they travel to LA for a three-game series.

 

Miguel Sano has also just been activated and could be seen in the lineup within the next week. Adding him to this already powerful lineup will just add fuel to the fire and give the Twins another weapon in the lineup.

 

Postgame With Baldelli

Bullpen Usage

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

Download attachment: Bullpen515.png

Next Three Games

Thu at SEA, 9:10 pm CT (Pineda-Swanson)

Fri at SEA, 9:10 pm CT (Perez-Gonzales)

Sat at SEA, 9:10 pm CT (Berrios-LeBlanc)

 

Last Game

MIN 4, LAA 3: Throw Down

 

Click here to view the article

[twins_89]

Calling the bullpen a little shaky is being incredibly generous.

[Vanimal46]

Hildenberger needs a mental vacation in Rochester. The bullpen is pretty ugly on days when Rogers, May, and Parker are limited.

[Dantes929]

 

Calling the bullpen a little shaky is being incredibly generous.

Sure, but you gotta give credit to Morin for battling in a tough situation.    Did you see the part about 12 games without a run except for Hildenberger?   I'll accept a clunker every once in a while, especially when they escape with a win.

[MNT1996]

I think it's time to get on the phone with some teams who can trade relievers for prospects. 

[KFEY93]

Bullpen will be the death of this otherwise good team and that really drives me up the wall. Front office  must be banking on us limping through with what we have until after the draft so we can try and sign some help with out giving up draft capitol or at least draft capitol we are okay with parting with. A win is a win, but man the pen made it not feel like one. 

[Dantes929]

I listened to the Angels announcers bemoaning the fact that the Angels left 14 stranded.   I thought only the Twins had that problem.     

 

[Dantes929]

That Cron play should make highlight reels for years to come.     It is hilarious.     I wish I could see the replay of Odorizzi's reaction.

[Brock Beauchamp]

This game was nerve-wracking.

 

I don’t particularly care for nerve-wracking games in mid-May.

[Alex Schieferdecker]

 

Hildenberger needs a mental vacation in Rochester. The bullpen is pretty ugly on days when Rogers, May, and Parker are limited.

Except that Harper, Magill, Morin, and Duffey have 7 ER in 27 IP this season. 

 

The problem with the bullpen was almost exclusively Mejia to start the season (plus the dynamic De Jong + Vasquez duo). Now Hildenberger is completely melting down. But it's not really a bullpen-wide issue, it's basically been just two guys, and two disastrous call-ups.

 

Rogers, Parker, Harper, May, Magill, Morin, and Duffey: 17 ER in 87 IP. Between those seven pitchers, that's a 1.76 ERA. 

 

I thought Rocco's bullpen management today was poor. I don't know why Magill came out. I don't know why Harper came in after working yesterday. I would've liked to see Duffey pitch, preferably at the start of an inning. I would've liked to see Morin start an inning. I would've liked to not see Hildenberger at all. We had three reasonably rested pitchers available, and instead of putting them in positions to succeed, we had the entire bullpen running around putting out fires instead.

[USAFChief]

I'll keep saying it. The Twins cannot survive with the current bullpen options.

 

Taylor Rogers and hope the rest are good dodgers isnt a good plan.

 

I trust one guy out there. And I suspect Baldelli feels the same.

[yarnivek1972]

Don’t players talk on the field? Can’t Odorizzi call out Cron’s name?

[mikelink45]

Nice to see the Twins win in a variety of ways.  That ability to keep moving ahead despite a break down or two is what leads to championships. 

[Vanimal46]

Except that Harper, Magill, Morin, and Duffey have 7 ER in 27 IP this season.

 

The problem with the bullpen was almost exclusively Mejia to start the season (plus the dynamic De Jong + Vasquez duo). Now Hildenberger is completely melting down. But it's not really a bullpen-wide issue, it's basically been just two guys, and two disastrous call-ups.

 

Rogers, Parker, Harper, Magill, Duffey, and Morin: 17 ER in 87 IP. Between those six pitchers, that's a 1.76 ERA.

 

I thought Rocco's bullpen management today was poor. I don't know why Magill came out. I don't know why Harper came in after working yesterday. I would've liked to see Duffey pitch, preferably at the start of an inning. I would've liked to see Morin start an inning. I would've liked to not see Hildenberger at all. We had three reasonably rested pitchers available, and instead of putting them in positions to succeed, we had the entire bullpen running around putting out fires instead.

How many pitchers would you trust in a playoff series against Houston? Right now I only trust Rogers, Parker, and May. It's time to get serious about the bullpen... The rest of the team is too good to pass up a playoff run.

[carlito_b]

When does Buxton start hitting leadoff?

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Whew. This is just the start of the second quarter of the season. I hope this continues to be a meaningful season in terms of a pennant race. I know, I know...one game at a time.

[Han Joelo]

All's well the wins well.  Or even wins ugly.  Someone commented in the game thread that that end game stuff could be season defining, and I scoffed to myself.  In hindsight, perhaps it will be--a relatively unheralded member of the team got out of an icky jam.  Things break bad in baseball all of the time.  They didn't roll over, this time--and they haven't been this year.  I like it.

 

As far as putting Hildy in there--obviously, glad they didn't lose, so I'm actually glad he got one more chance.  If this doesn't happen now, maybe they're forced to go to him in a closer game and the DO lose.  At least now, there's a chance for someone else.

 

I'd sure love to be shocked and see them dip down to AA for Stashak or Graterol.

[lukeduke1980]

27 and 15 - unbelievable.

 

 

[Doomtints]

Like with the Vikings and their offensive line, we all knew what the problem was with this team coming into the year, and also like the Vikings this is going on two or three years now.

 

Let's see if this team can figure it out before imploding and get some help. There is no shame in bringing in more talented players.

Edited May 15, 2019 by Doomtints

[scottz]

Tomorrow night. Pineda for 6. Duffey for 2. Rogers for 1. Probably.

[twinssporto]

 

This game was nerve-wracking.

I don’t particularly care for nerve-wracking games in mid-May.

It's early training for October.  

[ChrisKnutson]

Demote Hildy for sure, but for who? I’d give Romero one more shot before stretching him out and end this experiment, but if not him, than any of Stashak, Stewart, or Alcala would do just fine for now. More importantly, the FO needs to starting working on acquiring either Givens or Doolittle before things get out of hand.

[h2oface]

Just about 10 days late sending Hildenberger down. It was so obvious, but they just had to let it get worse and worse. I was surprised that he was on the roster out of spring training after the end of last year and this ST. To give him the 9th today.... what is Baldelli thinking? That he will miraculously change in a day or two? At least he had a few games that he shined to have hope for the remake of his game.

 

This series, it's not just the bullpen. Starters were getting tagged. 9 hits against Odorizzi in 5.1 (18 total against for the game), 12 against Berrios in 5.2 (15 total), and Gibson, who gets the most crap from the boards, 6 against in 5.2 (11 total). The whole staff was pretty bad. Pretty amazing they won two of the 3 one run games.

[wallyrichards]

 

When does Buxton start hitting leadoff?

He can 't handle the pressure! don't mess up a good thing. 

[Cglidds]

Um..Hildy has been sent to Rochester..the boys are 25-0 when leading in 8th..that is not a stat that trends with a weak pen. Harper, Morin, May, Parker, Rodgers, and Duffey are fine..no we do the Minor league shuffle for last spot..25-12 gents..not much to bitch about...and oh yeah, Buck is closing on .280, leading the league in doubles..and nothing hits the ground in the outfield but rain!! Go Teins!

[Cglidds]

Twins!! Doh..ack ack..

[adorduan]

Another Hindenburger sighting today..... sigh...Oh the humanity....

[h2oface]

The best thing that can happen is to have a fresh bullpen, and these guys go up and down on the option train. This could be good, or as good as one can hope for at least, given the personel.

[wallyrichards]

Knee jerk reaction. Hilde has done a lot more good than bad. The problem is the manager and how he uses him. Hilde is a 6th or 7th inning guy who pitches to 1, 2 or at most 3 guys. Hes not a closer and Roco should know this. The Angles have his number right now and we need to give him a few days off. I can't believe that Parker couldn't have pitched the ninth. Jesus he's been going 3 or 4 days between appearances I think he's rested enough to give a little more. I can live with siting Rodgers today but Roco almost cost us a sure victory today. I'm not sure but it looks like he's trying to reinvent the game. Its not rocket science when it comes to the bull pens you have long relievers, short relievers, 7th inning guys, set up 8th inning guys and a closer which we're lucky enough to have 2. Roco blew the tie game against Detroit that we lost when he should've used Rodgers in eighth and Parker in the ninth but decided to save them for some dumb reason and now he pulls this bull crap today. I've sung his praises but its looking like dumb luck now. This is a very good team all Roco has to do is stay out of there way. AS Sparky Anderson would say just don't trip them as there running out to the field. Or something like that.  

[bighat]

I respect the heck out of Sid Hartman, he'll be a legend for a long time and should get his own statue on Nicolett Mall. That said....I dunno, man. Kinda hard watching him struggle to even get a question out there. I know, I know, I'm sorry.

 

Speaking of struggling. Happy trails, Hildy.

 

This Buxton guy might be finally living up to his potential. I'd love to see him getting more ABs but then again maybe the Twins are paranoid about anything that might seem like a "push". I'll take his .280 and league-leading doubles any day. Nice HR today too, he might hit 15-20 this year.