Article: MIN 10, SEA 5: Another Double-Digit Scoring Effort, Another Bullpen Scare

[Andrew Gebo]

The Twins reached 10 runs yet again on Thursday afternoon, and they ended up needing nearly every one of them. Despite holding a 10-1 lead entering the eighth inning, things ended up getting much too interesting, though the Twins still managed to win 10-5.Box Score

Pineda: 5.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 65.6% strikes (63 of 96 pitches)

Bullpen: 3.1 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 1 K

 

Home Runs: Cruz (12), Cron (15)

Multi-Hit Games: Adrianza (3-for-5), Cruz (3-for-4, HR, BB), Polanco (2-for-6), Gonzalez (2-for-5, 2B), Schoop (2-for-4, 2B)

 

WPA of +0.1: Pineda .304, Cruz .223, Arianza .204, Kepler .150

WPA of -0.1: None

Download attachment: Win613.png

(chart via FanGraphs)

 

Early Pitchers' Duel in Minnesota

Today’s contest featured an early pitchers' duel, which is something we are not used to seeing from Minnesota this year. Pineda and Kikuchi were both sharp early on, limiting the scoring through the first five innings as Minnesota looked to improve to an 18-4 record following a loss.

 

Early Wasted Opportunities

The scoring opportunities were limited but the Twins wasted a good one in the second inning when they had the bases loaded with nobody out and couldn’t score a run. Through the first five innings Minnesota had stranded seven runners and were 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. The lone run for Minnesota came courtesy of a solo home run from Nelson Cruz in the third inning.

 

Small Ball Leads to a Big Sixth Inning

The top half of the sixth inning was not a great one for Minnesota. After allowing two baserunners with two outs Pineda was pulled from the game and Ryne Harper was brought in to face Daniel Vogelbach. The need for another left-handed reliever in the Minnesota bullpen was never more apparent after Harper surrendered a base hit to Vogelbach which tied the game at 1-1.

 

The bottom half of the inning, however, was a great one for Minnesota and featured something we haven’t seen much from this team. They scored six runs in the inning without hitting a home run or collecting an extra-base hit. Max Kepler led off the inning with a walk and Rocco Baldelli reached into his bag of tricks and called for a hit-and-run play with Ehire Adrianza at the plate. The hit-and-run was executed perfectly when Ehire singled through the right side of the infield advancing Kepler to third. A throwing error from the Seattle pitcher on a pick-off attempt allowed Kepler to score from third.

 

A wild pitch advanced Adrianza to third and he scored on a Jason Castro ground ball to second with the infield drawn in. After Byron Buxton drew a walk, the Twins had runners on first and second and Jorge Polanco singled to center extending his hit streak to 14 games. The bases were loaded with nobody out. Unlike the second inning, Minnesota was able to capitalize on this opportunity.

 

Nelson Cruz singled through the left side of the infield, scoring Castro and Buxton giving Minnesota a 5-1 lead. After a sacrifice fly from Marwin Gonzales and an RBI single from Max Kepler, Minnesota had a six-run bottom of the sixth and a 7-1 lead, breaking open what was once a pitchers duel.

 

 

Bomba Squad Strikes Again

After Minnesota broke the game open in the sixth they still weren’t done scoring. In the seventh inning Buxton walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on an RBI single from Polanco. Following the single from Polanco, Seattle turned to their bullpen and brought in Tyler Scott who received a rude welcome from C.J. Cron when he blasted a two-run home run on the second pitch of the at-bat.

 

This game was cruising along and had the makings of a low-scoring pitchers duel but the potent Minnesota offense flipped the script in a hurry. When the fifth inning ended the score was 1-0. By the time the seventh inning was over Minnesota had jumped out to a 10-1 lead.

 

Pineda Looks Sharp; Romero Struggles

Pineda’s best start of the year came on May 16 in Seattle and he didn’t disappoint against his former team today either. Although he didn’t match his success from that May 16 start Pineda gave Minnesota a solid performance finishing with 5 2/3 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 K.

 

Fernando Romero, who was recalled from Triple-A prior the game, struggled mightily in his return to the big leagues. He surrendered two hits, two walks and two runs before being pulled from the game without recording an out.

 

Matt Magill was called upon to clean up the mess created by Romero and he did just that. He walked the first batter he faced, loading the bases with no outs, but quickly rebounded to retire the side without allowing a run to score.

 

Stay Hot, Ehire Adrianza

Remember when Adrianza was hitting below the Mendoza line and all of Twins territory couldn’t wait for him to be shown the door? Well, since May 13 he’s hitting .439/.510/.634.

 

 

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: Pen613.png

 

Click here to view the article

[Rosterman]

So the transport to Rochester continues. What new arm will arrive for the KC opener tomorrow?

[james2334]

While watching this game I couldn't help but wonder if our offence ever got to face off against our relief pitchers would the inning ever end?

[Dantes929]

I wasn't that scared but then again I didn't think they won 10-7 as you show on the headline.   You might have been looking at hits given up since that was 7 vs the 5 runs given up.   Once again a mixed bag.     Harper gave up a hit to his first guy that allowed a run but did a nice job after that.    If he allows more runs it could affect what the offense did so lets give him credit.   Romero was awful but I guess that is why he threw him out there with a 9 run lead   Upper 90's walks from Romero and Magill does not bode well when they should just be thinking let them hit the ball. A guy like Tommy Milone would be good for these types of games.  Our bullpen did beat their bullpen 9-4.    Ok, I'm reaching.  Good job Pineda, Morrin and Harper.     

[blindeke]

 

While watching this game I couldn't help but wonder if our offence ever got to face off against our relief pitchers would the inning ever end?

 

That is a zen koan.

[carlito_b]

While watching this game I couldn't help but wonder if our offence ever got to face off against our relief pitchers would the inning ever end?

One of the best posts in the history of twins daily.

[Monticore]

Romero is a landmine. Still, coming back the way they did after last night's egregious loss is laudable.

[dex8425]

 

So the transport to Rochester continues. What new arm will arrive for the KC opener tomorrow?

Did Jake Reed pitch today or yesterday? We need to give him a look. 

[twinsfanstreif]

There really is no let up in our line up, seriously 1-9 can all hurt you in a number of ways even on days like today when we have 2 bench players starting. Crazy to think about, long gone are the days of Juan Castro/Drew Butera/Matt Tolbert/Terry Tiffee in the line up like a Black hole, these guys can all rake! But seriously, let's figure out this bullpen thing. It's a little silly at this point. At least the starting rotation has been stellar

[Mr. Brooks]

Did Jake Reed pitch today or yesterday? We need to give him a look.

He pitched today.

[yarnivek1972]

I’m not sure how many more times Baldelli needs to see Harper come in with multiple runners on to see it isn’t a good idea. Harper has come into 7 games with more than one runner one. At least one scored five times. He’s allowed almost 60% of inherited runners to score. By comparison, the banished Trevor Hildenberger has allowed just 26% of inherited runners to score.

[VATwinsFan]

By my count the BP has given up 31 runs in the last 10 games.  Not a whole lot of apparent help at Rochester. How long before they Twins start recalling pitchers from Pensacola if they don't make a trade or two?

[Danchat]

Somebody on the game thread yesterday said something along the lines of "playoff teams don't lose a game like this".

 

Well, I pose to you this... do non-playoff teams consistently have dominant victories after bad losses the night before? It almost seems like this team is immune to losing streaks.

 

 

It is incredibly frustrating to see Romero struggling like he is. He needs his reset button hit and pretend like he's starting a new season over again. It seems to me like he's the latest Twins pitching prospect in to just fall apart like this. 

[Shaitan]

I'm about done with Romero. I'm not sure why they felt he deserves a chance more than Eades right now.

[Danchat]

 

I'm about done with Romero. I'm not sure why they felt he deserves a chance more than Eades right now.

The only other optionable relievers were Harper (not happening) and Duffey (has earned a chance to stay). Eades probably wasn't available today so they sent him down, and they can get him back within 10 days or stash Parker or someone else on the IL and get him back. With the shape the pen is in, Eades will be back for better or for worse.

Edited June 14, 2019 by Danchat

[BattleYourTailOff]

Somebody on the game thread yesterday said something along the lines of "playoff teams don't lose a game like this".

 

Well, I pose to you this... do non-playoff teams consistently have dominant victories after bad losses the night before? It almost seems like this team is immune to losing streaks.

 

 

It is incredibly frustrating to see Romero struggling like he is. He needs his reset button hit and pretend like he's starting a new season over again. It seems to me like he's the latest Twins pitching prospect in to just fall apart like this.

We are 100% a playoff team and a division winner. I see us “1 & done” as our roster stands now.

[jimbo92107]

Romero looked like he forgot how to pitch, and was trying to fake it. Somebody buy this kid a change-up! 

[yarnivek1972]

The only other optionable relievers were Harper (not happening) and Duffey (has earned a chance to stay). Eades probably wasn't available today so they sent him down, and they can get him back within 10 days or stash Parker or someone else on the IL and get him back. With the shape the pen is in, Eades will be back for better or for worse.

He hasn’t done anything to be immune from being sent down. He’s been about the lowest leverage pitcher the Twins have had and when brought in with runners on, they usually score.

[whosafraidofluigirussolo]

How did Romero's numbers as a reliever in AAA look?

 

Knowing none of the inner player-development calculations in the decision, and only looking at how his year has gone, is it possible that moving Romero to the bullpen didn't really...work? That he pitches better when he prepares as a starter?

[BattleYourTailOff]

One of the best posts in the history of twins daily.

Hahahahaha. I’d love to see this. How many HR in a row would be hit I think they’d break the MLB record

[Danchat]

 

How did Romero's numbers as a reliever in AAA look?

 

Knowing none of the inner player-development calculations in the decision, and only looking at how his year has gone, is it possible that moving Romero to the bullpen didn't really...work? That he pitches better when he prepares as a starter?

Not good, but do remember that AAA is undergoing an unprecedented surge of offense. Here's his basic line:

 

5.47 ERA in 24.2 IP, 1.257 WHIP, 8.4 H/9, 2.2 HR/9, 2.9 BB/9, 9.5 K/9

 

The home runs were getting him in AAA, and he threw surprisingly few walks. It seems command wasn't as big of a problem for him down there than I thought it was.

 

I'm not sure if putting him back in the rotation fixes him... it's hard to say. He wasn't getting strikeouts in the major or minor rotation last year.

[Dman]

It was refreshing to see another teams bulllpen implode.  Seattle used three guys in the 6th and none of them were very successful.  Their relievers really had trouble finding the strike zone.  

 

We still have our own issues though.  We don't really seem to have a shut down reliever at all.  Maybe Rogers but he struggles at times as well.  At any rate it was nice to see us put a bunch of runs on the board.

[james2334]

 

That is a zen koan.

Thanks, I could feel myself approaching enlightenment, but then Rocco sent Magill back out for the 9th inning and I lost it.

[mikelink45]

I have been frustrated with Romero in the pen since the beginning.  It still feels like Sano in RF.  When someone is doing well in one situation, why change?  As the summer progresses can we continue with a pen like this?

[james2334]

 

Hahahahaha. I’d love to see this. How many HR in a row would be hit I think they’d break the MLB record

This scenario could never happen, the health insurance cost for the pitchers would be too astronomical. 

[D.C Twins]

I think there is going to be a sellers market for relievers....We would be best served to strike early if possible because we will likely only have to over pay even more as there are fewer left.....and make no mistake about it, we will have to "overpay".... but now is the time!

[terrydactyls]

Yesterday was Thursday, June 13 and it was the 67th game of the year.  The Twins are now 41%  of the way through the season.  Out of 59 years, the current team ranks 29th on the all-time list of Twins' home runs in one season and are on a pace to hit 319 home runs this season. 

[Shaitan]

 

It was refreshing to see another teams bulllpen implode.  Seattle used three guys in the 6th and none of them were very successful.  Their relievers really had trouble finding the strike zone.  

 

We still have our own issues though.  We don't really seem to have a shut down reliever at all.  Maybe Rogers but he struggles at times as well.  At any rate it was nice to see us put a bunch of runs on the board.

Seattle is on a pace to destroy the Twins 30-some pitchers of a few years ago. Last I heard they'd already used something like 22 different arms. 

[Shaitan]

 

The only other optionable relievers were Harper (not happening) and Duffey (has earned a chance to stay). Eades probably wasn't available today so they sent him down, and they can get him back within 10 days or stash Parker or someone else on the IL and get him back. With the shape the pen is in, Eades will be back for better or for worse.

I get it but...he couldn't even get an out in a blowout. They'd have been better off just keeping Eades on the roster and waiting it out (in retrospect). 

[DocBauer]

Romero looked like he forgot how to pitch, and was trying to fake it. Somebody buy this kid a change-up!

 

A change of any sort would be amazing!

 

But I'm not sure if that is the problem. At least, not the problem of they truly feel his future is indeed in the pen. Don't get me wrong it would only make him that much more devastating, potentially.

 

Right now, he just looks lost to me. I got to watch hi, today during lunch break, and frankly, it made me bewildered and sad. His pure stuff is so damn good but he looked unsure and scared and was definitely pressing.

 

From a distance, not knowing much of anything, it feels like he doesn't trust himself, or his stuff. It feels like he really wants to do well, but is afraid to just let it fly and let his natural power and movement play. I wonder if he is trying too hard to be too fine and dominating. I wonder if he is overthrowing.

 

I'm really wondering if he shouldn't go right back to Rochester, have a big heart to heart with anyone and everyone, and just continue to learn his role as a reliever and just stay at Rochester for most or all the season until his mechanics and mental aptitude just settle in.