Article: MIN 18, SEA 4: Sharks Eat Mariners

[Tom Froemming]

Back in 2006, Ozzie Guillen compared the Twins’ lineup to piranhas due to its ability to relentlessly small ball a team to death. This 2019 Twins lineup is more like a frenzy of sharks with their rows of razor-sharp teeth and incredibly powerful jaws. This lineup smelled blood in the water and devoured Seattle’s pitching staff tonight.Box Score

Berrios: 4.2 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 66.7% strikes (70 of 105 pitches)

Home Runs: Cron 2 (12), Buxton (4), Sano (1), Schoop 2 (8)

Multi-Hit Games: Schoop (3-for-5, 2 HR), Gonzalez (3-for-5, 2B), Rosario (3-for-6), Cron 3-for-6, 2B, 2 HR), Buxton (2-for-4, HR)

WPA of +0.1: Buxton .194, Cron .144

WPA of -0.1: None

Download attachment: Win518.png

(chart via FanGraphs)

 

I’ve run out of superlatives, so let’s cut the fluff and get right to the numbers. The Twins won their fifth straight game and are 30-15. They scored 18 runs. They hit six more home runs. No team in baseball has scored more or hit more home runs than the Twins.

 

This is reality, right? I’m not dreaming, am I? Somebody pinch me.

 

At this point, there really is no need to get cute about trying to analyze the Twins’ season so far. Just look at the standings. Just look at the leader boards.

 

I honestly don’t even know what to say at this point. This team is insane. They are grinding Seattle into dust so far this series, outscoring them 36-11 through three games. They’ve done all this without Nelson Cruz or Mitch Garver.

 

C.J. Cron and Jonathan Schoop each hit two home runs, Byron Buxton hit a grand slam and Miguel Sano hit his first homer of the season. The sharks combined for 19 hits, 10 of which went for extra bases. They also went 6-for-13 with runners in scoring position and drew six walks.

 

Despite being spotted a 15-0 lead, Jose Berrios slogged through this start tonight. Berrios was removed from this game after giving up four runs in the fifth inning. He went only 4 2/3 innings, and it took him 105 pitches to get that far. But Berrios still threw a good amount of strikes, did not walk a batter and only gave up one extra-base hit.

 

Of the 16 balls in play the Mariners hit off Berrios, eight went for hits. I wouldn’t expect a .500 BABIP to be sustainable. It was a weird start. Jose also had a near exact split between all four of his pitches. He threw 28 two seamers, 27 curveballs, 26 four seamers and 24 changeups, per Baseball Savant. That’s the most changeups he’s thrown in a start this year.

 

Luis Arraez made his major league debut. He took over at shortstop, moved over to second base where he made a fine diving stop and went 1-for-2 with a double at the plate. Here’s a link to a spotlight I did on him yesterday at the site that includes some video.

 

Austin Adams made his Twins debut and first MLB appearance since 2016. He topped out at 97.5 mph and his slider hit 89.5 mph. If you were wondering why Derek Falvey likes this guy, well there you go. Adams gave up one hit and struck out four batters in two scoreless innings.

 

Postgame With Buxton and Sano

 

Bullpen Usage

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

Download attachment: Pen518.png

Next Three Games

Sun at SEA, 3:10 pm CT (Gibson-Kikuchi)

Mon at LAA, 9:07 pm CT (TBD)

Tue at LAA, 9:07 pm CT (TBD)

 

Last Game

MIN 7, SEA 1: Venezuelan Night in Seattle

 

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[Darius]

What the Twins and Astros are doing right now is amazing.

[Channing1964]

We are watching the 2019 AL Central Division Champs play right now.

[Blake]

Good job by a very good baseball team.

 

I just called the Twins a "very good baseball team."

 

Let that sink in for a moment.

[Platoon]

It's like they are taking batting practice. . I see Rocco has a little TK in him. I know Berrios pitch count was high, but removing a starter who is underperforming given the situation at 4 2/3 innings to deprive him one in the win column was one of TK's motivational tools.

[VATwinsFan]

I protect heck with the fish nicknames. I prefer the term, “buzz saw”.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Despite being spotted a 15-0 lead, Jose Berrios slogged through this start tonight. Berrios was removed from this game after giving up four runs in the fifth inning. He went only 4 2/3 innings, and it took him 105 pitches to get that far. But Berrios still threw a good amount of strikes, did not walk a batter and only gave up one extra-base hit.

]

According to the box score Berrios was lifted after giving up two runs but with at least two runners on base. Duffey let two inherited runners score. I listened for a while and indeed it was a tough slog for Berrios, but I think we do need to keep a sharp eye on those inherited runners scored. Earned runs is hiding deep flaws in this bullpen. Falvey needs to get reinforcements fast.

[ScooterDance]

According to the box score Berrios was lifted after giving up two runs but with at least two runners on base. Duffey let two inherited runners score. I listened for a while and indeed it was a tough slog for Berrios, but I think we do need to keep a sharp eye on those inherited runners scored. Earned runs is hiding deep flaws in this bullpen. Falvey needs to get reinforcements fast.

 

Duffey came in after Berrios let 4 runners score. He struck out the one batter he faced in the 5th on 7 pitches.

 

This is what it feels like to have nice things? I LIKE HAVING NICE THINGS

[bighat]

"The Grain Belters"

"Mill City Mashers"

"First Avenue Heavy"

 

Too bad for Berrios....but eh, he'll get over it. Honestly sitting so long between innings had to throw him off. He pitched like a guy with a 15-0 lead: throw it down the middle and just let the other guys swing. I see no reason to worry at all about him.

 

Good grief that was fun to watch. Buxton and Sano going yard, Bux with a grand salami! We are doing this all without Cruz and Garver. Castro is having a career year at the plate. Adrianza is our worst offensive player? Oh yeah he went yard Friday and drove in a pair.

 

Offensively I say keep these guys intact. Nobody needs replacing, don't mess with it. Deal some minor leaguers for a lights out bullpen guy or 2 at the deadline and just go for it.

 

[bighat]

Mariner's starting pitcher had this to say, BTW:

 

''Those guys over there, there's not much you can say,'' LeBlanc said. ''I want to say that's the best hitting team I've ever faced in my life. That's how they looked tonight.''

[Vanimal46]

Dustin Morse tweeted last night it's the first time since 8/18/2017 when Buxton and Sano homered in the same game. Let's not wait so long for the next game it happens.

[Han Joelo]

Buxton and Sano said some variation of "fun" or "having fun" about 27 times in that interview.  When you think about it, both the guys have some perspective on what non-fun baseball feels like.

 

The Mariners would be the last team besides the Twins I'd want this to happen to, but this will definitely be a "remember when" game.  Hopefully not in September, in a bad way--"remember when they were 15 games up and hit 15 home runs in one game?"

 

I WILL always remember that one game I attended in Seattle when Jason Tyner almost hit a homer, and I was pretty happy about that.  Time have a-changed.

[rdehring]

Game got way too late to watch the last 5 innings.  Got up and looked at the box score, wanted to see if Arraez played.  He did and as usual, got a hit.  Was surprised to see it was a double.

 

Also good to see that we had the good Duffey pitch last night, although not certain what their lineup was like by the time he got into the game.  Looking at your chart above, can't believe how rested the bullpen is.

 

A little concerned that our pitching staff has given Seattle 11 runs in these three games, but sure like the 36 we have scored.

 

Let's go for the sweep and guarantee another winning road trip.  And how bout that Preakness yesterday.  I was rooting for the horse without its jockey!

[TheLeviathan]

Anyone who stayed up have any extra observations on Adams?

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Duffey came in after Berrios let 4 runners score. He struck out the one batter he faced in the 5th on 7 pitches. This is what it feels like to have nice things? I LIKE HAVING NICE THINGS

 

Odd.... Hey Stew, what gives?!

Edited May 19, 2019 by Sconnie

[Riverbrian]

 

"The Grain Belters"

 

 

Love this one!!!

[highlander]

THUNDER STICK ALLEY!!!

Coming to a venue near you

[Splash45]

7E3B475A-B7D5-426A-9AD4-93EB0EC0B0EB.jpeg

Odd.... Hey Stew, what gives?!

 

The box score is saying that he inherited 2 runners and neither of them scored

[Nine of twelve]

 

7E3B475A-B7D5-426A-9AD4-93EB0EC0B0EB.jpeg

Odd.... Hey Stew, what gives?!

Duffey came in with 2 on and 2 out in the 5th, pitched to one batter and got him out, leaving the two inherited runners on base. He then faced 5 batters in the 6th without giving up a run. I'm not sure what you feel is odd.

 

Edit: Splash45 posted while I was typing.

Edited May 19, 2019 by Nine of twelve

[wabene]

Damn hildy has a 36.00 ERA in Rochester so far. (1 inning)

[Don't Feed the Greed Guy]

"Tater Brigade!"

 

https://theathletic.com/984362/2019/05/19/very-very-special-night-for-our-offense-shorthanded-twins-continue-record-onslaught/

[terrydactyls]

As I mentioned yesterday, I live in Maine so the game started at 10:10. I tuned in just as the first inning ended and only managed to watch two innings. But what a two innings! Five homeruns and 10 runs scored. The Twins of the Killebrew era always epitomized what good Twins' teams should be, but this team is making the teams from the mid 60's look like banjo hitters. Glad I bought the MLBTV single team package this year.

[KFEY93]

 

Damn hildy has a 36.00 ERA in Rochester so far. (1 inning)

 

He's dead Jim. 

[Linus]

Modern baseball. 4 pitchers used in a win where we scored 18 runs

[jorgenswest]

According to the box score Berrios was lifted after giving up two runs but with at least two runners on base. Duffey let two inherited runners score. I listened for a while and indeed it was a tough slog for Berrios, but I think we do need to keep a sharp eye on those inherited runners scored. Earned runs is hiding deep flaws in this bullpen. Falvey needs to get reinforcements fast.

Did you watch the game?

 

Duffey was really good.

 

He came in with two runners on base and got an easy foul ball pop up that Sano dropped. Instead of folding he fought back to strike out the batter leaving the two inherited runners stranded.

 

In his second inning a great pitch busts the bat of the lead off hitter and the balls falls weakly just over Cron’s glove for a hit. The second guy hits an easy come backer and he throws to second for a possible DP. Arraez drops the throw. He doesn’t fold and strikes out two of the next three with the third out being an easy come backer to the mound.

[wabene]

What are they going to do with Cron? An .841 ops and on pace for 48 dingers? Looks like he's ARB 3 next year so we have basically an option on him an Perez. Damn these moves look good! With a complete free agent washout last year but a reset button for this year. Pinch me. The one holdover was Addison and they didn't waste any time (or losses) on eating that deal. Again pinch me!

[Aerodeliria]

What a difference a year makes!!

 

I do remember sleepless in Seattle last year.

 

2018 (3 games)

Record 0-3

Runs 5

Hits 12

HRs 1

 

That wasn't fun for us fans and it probably wasn't much for Twins players either. It was dreadful.

 

2019... awesome!

Record 3-0

Runs 36

Hits 45

HRs 11

[Han Joelo]

 

Did you watch the game?

Duffey was really good.

He came in with two runners on base and got an easy foul ball pop up that Sano dropped. Instead of folding he fought back to strike out the batter leaving the two inherited runners stranded.

In his second inning a great pitch busts the bat of the lead off hitter and the balls falls weakly just over Cron’s glove for a hit. The second guy hits an easy come backer and he throws to second for a possible DP. Arraez drops the throw. He doesn’t fold and strikes out two of the next three with the third out being an easy come backer to the mound.

Thanks for this.  Duffey has got to realize this his chance to finally establish his presence with authority.

[wabene]

I'm really glad we've got a 3 o'clock start today. That's a payback for the late West coast start times and a perfect Sunday start. Not so early you can't get anything done.

[MN_ExPat]

 

"The Grain Belters"

"Mill City Mashers"

"First Avenue Heavy"

 

Too bad for Berrios....but eh, he'll get over it. Honestly sitting so long between innings had to throw him off. He pitched like a guy with a 15-0 lead: throw it down the middle and just let the other guys swing. I see no reason to worry at all about him.

 

Good grief that was fun to watch. Buxton and Sano going yard, Bux with a grand salami! We are doing this all without Cruz and Garver. Castro is having a career year at the plate. Adrianza is our worst offensive player? Oh yeah he went yard Friday and drove in a pair.

 

Offensively I say keep these guys intact. Nobody needs replacing, don't mess with it. Deal some minor leaguers for a lights out bullpen guy or 2 at the deadline and just go for it.

You know... they could sign Kimbrel after the draft.

 

Yes, an excellent plan Smithers!   I'm glad I thought of it!