Article: OAK 7, MIN 2: Twins Drop Independence Day Rubber Match in Oakland

[Andrew Gebo]

Watching afternoon baseball on the Fourth of July is always a treat and today the Minnesota Twins and Oakland Athletics treated us to a good game. Jose Berrios was hit or miss for most of the afternoon with a handful of good innings as well as a few rough innings. He pitched well overall but the offense came up just short.Box Score

Berrios: 5 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 58.7% strikes (54 of 92 pitches)

Bullpen: 3 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

 

Home Runs: None

Multi-Hit Games: Nelson Cruz (3-for-5, 2B), Ehire Adrianza (2-for-3), Jonathan Schoop (2-for-4)

 

Top 3 WPA: Adrianza .192, Cruz .070, Littell .046

Bottom 3 WPA: Berrios -.173, Polanco -.173, Morin -.124

 

Berrios Not Sharp, But Effective

The expectations are so high for Berrios that it’s easy to expect complete dominance every time he takes the mound but that won’t always be the case. What sets him apart and makes him an ace, however, is his ability to still pitch effectively when he doesn’t have his best stuff.

 

Today was one of those days for Jose. He issued more walks than strikeouts recorded and scattered six hits over five innings while allowing three earned runs. A high pitch count ended his afternoon early but when his day was over the Twins were still in a position to win the game.

 

Bats Remain Quiet

The red-hot Minnesota offense we enjoyed for the first two months of the season was never going to be sustainable over a full season but seeing this team struggle at times to drive in runs is still taking some adjusting to.

 

The best chance for the Twins to put a crooked number on the board came in the first inning. Ehire Adrianza was credited with an RBI after catcher’s interference was called with the bases loaded. The next batter, Jonathan Schoop hit a hard line drive into the left-center field gap but the stellar Oakland center fielder, Ramon Laureano tracked it down and put an end to the threat.

 

Minnesota was able to add another run in the fifth inning when Adrianza once again collected an RBI. This time he singled into center field and Nelson Cruz was able to score from third.

 

Oakland Breaks It Open Late

The eighth inning didn’t get off to a great start for Minnesota and it ended even worse. Mike Morin would eventually load the bases with no outs. Marcus Semein then promptly unloaded on a pitch and blasted a grand-slam to left field giving the Athletics a 7-2 lead.

 

Postgame With Baldelli

 

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

Click here for a review of the number of pitches thrown by each member of the bullpen over the past five days.

 

Click here to view the article

[Richard Swerdlick]

Cleveland is now only 6 games back. It wasn't that long ago that everyone assumed we were a lock for the division. That series with Cleveland right after the all star break looms large. 

 

I see that Andrew Vasquez has been taken off the 40 man roster. I wonder if they are getting ready to put Brent Rooker  on the 40 man.

[Vanimal46]

Wanted: Smoke and Mirrors

 

My supply is running low! Please help if you have any to give. Will pay cash.

 

Sincerely,

 

Mike Morin

[Florida Loggerman]

I hope we can get healthy fast, and I hope the starting pitching can find it's groove again, because our starters have not been anything close to what they were in the fist 2 months. and if the club can't find the clutch hitting again, this team will fold like a cub scout tent on the lake with a 76mph winds ripping it down.  the middle relief roster is down right bad

[David HK]

 

Well, it's still not 3 steps...

 

Whatever that's worth.

[jkcarew]

I would have gone with "Twins Refuse to Win Two in a Row"

[Danchat]

Well, getting guys on base isn't the problem for this squad, it's getting them in. The RISP hitting has been very disappointing for about the past 2-3 weeks now.

 

I would be fine with DFA'ing Morin and getting a reliever with options up, so we can continue to move guys up and down who have options. Since we're probably a couple weeks away from any trades, maybe get a guy like Stashak or Reed up here and give them some chances?

[Squirrel]

That was such a disappointing game to watch.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I’m pretty sure this was the first home stand or road trip the Twins lost all season.

[jkcarew]

Article refers to Berrios as ‘ace’. Twins are now 1-4 in the last 5 games started by their ace. There comes a time when a team is struggling, where the ace has to be better than good...or in today’s case, better than passable. Berrios certainly isn’t part of the problem...but, as our ace, he’s had a couple of opportunities recently to serve as the solution...and hasn’t done so.

[terrydactyls]

Yesterday was Thursday, July 4, it was the 86th game of the year and the Twins hit 0 home runs.  The Twins are now 53%  of the way through the season.  Out of 59 years, the current team ranks 15th on the all-time list of Twins' home runs in one season and are on a pace to hit 303 home runs this season..

[mikelink45]

Very disappointing.  They all have a break coming. This was not the time to let down and it was a big let down. We do not have to lose three in a row to have a bad week or two.  

[Dantes929]

 

Very disappointing.  They all have a break coming. This was not the time to let down and it was a big let down. We do not have to lose three in a row to have a bad week or two.  

They all have a break but not everyone wants or needs one.   There have been many times in the past where I hated the break because the Twins were on a role and other times I have thought they could use the rest and a reset.   This is one of those times.  Cleveland gets a break also but I am guessing they would rather not have one at this time.   When Twins are hot I don't even like the single days off.   

[Dantes929]

 

Article refers to Berrios as ‘ace’. Twins are now 1-4 in the last 5 games started by their ace. There comes a time when a team is struggling, where the ace has to be better than good...or in today’s case, better than passable. Berrios certainly isn’t part of the problem...but, as our ace, he’s had a couple of opportunities recently to serve as the solution...and hasn’t done so.

I've never really thought of him as an ace but in the last 28 days he is 0-2 with a 2.17 ERA.   That is better than good in my book.   He also gave them a good start though in a loss after that 18 inning game that gave the pen a rest.      

 

[Pius Jefferson]

Twins haven't had a winning streak longer than three games since May 26th.

[Squirrel]

So many sheep on here. We cant win against teams with a winning record without decent pitching. This team is an average team and a decent team against poor opponents. Stop living in la la land.

I’m not sure why you think people here are sheep, let alone it’s not very respectful to call us that. I think most people here prior to the season and all through this season so far have been disappointed more wasn’t/hasn’t been done to sign better pitching; and surprised, happily so, we’ve done as well as we have, knowing that it is well above expectations. I think the majority have acknowledged to win in the playoffs we will need better pitching. Most of the current threads here even discuss the need for better pitching. And the ‘la la land’ comment, not sure what that means, either, other than it being a bit of a slight to posters who have enjoyed the season so far. One can enjoy winning and be hopeful of the future at the same time acknowledge our warts and that it’s above where this team really is. Maybe a small number of people think we can get through and get by with what we have ... their right to have that opinion without being referred to as sheep .., even while most of us think otherwise.

[Oldgoat_MN]

I think calling for Mike Morin to be DFAed suggests an itchy trigger finger. Coming into this game he had a 1.66 ERA, a 3.81 FIP and a WHIP of 0.877. These stats are NOT readily replaceable.

I'm not saying he's a lock to have on the team all year. However, a RP who has allowed 4 earned runs this year in 22 appearances is probably not the guy you get rid of immediately when he has his first bad outing of the year.

 

We need to do something about our relief corps. This just probably isn't exactly where we should start.

[the_brute_squad]

Everyone expected Cleveland to be good this year so it's not surprising they are gaining. Every team goes through some down times and in this case it's happening while the Tribe is playing their hottest ball of the season. It is concerning that this team can't seam to hit with RISP. It's also concerning that two of our all-star pitchers pitched against that A's and those are the two games that were lost (blister didn't help Odo). This squad doesn't have a lights out pitcher - Berrios is on his way but not there, yet. The last concern is the defense. Entirely too many errors on more than routine plays. That's a lack of focus. I don't know if this team was coasting but it's time to get re-focused and start making routine plays.

Injuries are going to be brought up but nobody has had more injuries than the Yankees and they seem to be doing fine.

 

[Number3]

Not losing 3 in a row still equates to a .333 winning percentage so the key is still winning series as it always has been. Give them a pass on a 2-4 road trip but really need to win this home series against Texas. There really is not a lot of difference between winning and losing at this level so confidence and expecting to win must be maintained if the potential for this season is to be realized.

[Don't Feed the Greed Guy]

Pinch me. I fell asleep in March and just woke up to find out that the Twins are leading the AL Central by five games! Am I still dreaming?