Article: Twins Game Recap (7/14): Cleveland Prevails, Avoids Sweep

[Andrew Gebo]

Minnesota was going for the statement series sweep against Cleveland in its first regular season action after the All-Star break. They had their hands full, however, going against Shane Bieber and ultimately fell short of completing the sweep, losing 4-3.Box Score

Berrios: 5 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 65% strikes (60 of 92 pitches)

Bullpen: 3 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 3 K

 

Home Runs: None

Multi-Hit Games: Marwin Gonzalez (3-for-4)

 

Top 3 WPA: Arraez .142, Gonzalez .126, Adrianza .115

Bottom 3 WPA: Polanco -.317, Schoop -.285, Cruz -.150

 

Poor Command Bites Berrios

Twins ace,Jose Berrios entered today’s action seeking an elusive ninth win of the season. He struggled with his command early on, surrendering two walks in the first inning and Jose Rameriz made him play by driving in one of the runners with a two out knock.

 

In the fourth inning, Berrios gave up a double and two singles allowing Cleveland to add two more runs to their lead and push the score to 3-0. A high pitch count would eventually end his afternoon after only five innings.

 

Minnesota Rallies in the Seventh

It wasn’t exactly how you draw it up and the Twins missed an opportunity to score even more but on a day where runs were at a premium at least they finally cracked into the run column

 

It took Garver and Cave each getting hit by a pitch and singles from Marwin Gonzalez, Miguel Sano and Max Kepler for Minnesota to tie the game. They were very well positioned to do even more damage with the bases loaded and only one out with Polanco and Cruz due up. Unfortunately, both Polanco and Cruz would strike out to end the inning leaving the bases loaded.

 

Coming Up Short In the Late Innings

After the Twins rallied to tie the game in the seventh inning, Trevor May handed Cleveland the lead again when he surrendered a solo home run to Carlos Santana in an 0-2 count.

 

 

The eighth inning got off to a good start for Minnesota when Luis Arraez reached base via a lead-off double but they were unable to drive him in and the scored remained 4-3.

 

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

[Monticore]

Jack Morris cautioned Trevor May from the booth to stick with his 98 heater against Santana so of course he throws him a hanging breaking ball. That dumb mistake cost 'em two games in the standings.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Certainly frustrating to not get the sweep once they clawed back into the game...

 

Though that said, those HBPs for Garver and Cave were gifts from the umps... I think the ball did catch Garver based on his reaction, but I was surprised when we won the challenge to HBP in a run with Cave. 

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Jack Morris cautioned Trevor May from the booth to stick with his 98 heater against Santana so of course he throws him a hanging breaking ball. That dumb mistake cost 'em two games in the standings.

 

Not sure if that May or Garver calling for it in that situation.

 

I will say that May dropped a beauty of a curve on Santana for a strike in that at bat.

[Splash45]

Jack Morris cautioned Trevor May from the booth to stick with his 98 heater against Santana so of course he throws him a hanging breaking ball. That dumb mistake cost 'em two games in the standings.

 

There’s no guarantee they win the game even if May doesn’t give up that homer. And the Twins had chances to make other plays that would’ve helped them win but couldn’t execute.

[jkcarew]

Twins now 1-5 in Berrios’s last 6 starts.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

And the Twins had chances to make other plays that would’ve helped them win but couldn’t execute.

You mean like how they tied the game with the bases loaded and no outs and then failed to score again? You mean like that?

 

Cleveland tried to hand this game away and the Twins refused to take the W. It happens. Annoying, but it happens.

[yarnivek1972]

Jack Morris cautioned Trevor May from the booth to stick with his 98 heater against Santana so of course he throws him a hanging breaking ball. That dumb mistake cost 'em two games in the standings.

Of course, him ending the Indian rally in the 4th and dominating them in the 5th Friday kept the Twins in the game and allowed them to come back and win, gaining them two games in the standings.

[Dantes929]

 

There’s no guarantee they win the game even if May doesn’t give up that homer. And the Twins had chances to make other plays that would’ve helped them win but couldn’t execute.

May didn't even make the bottom 3 for WPA

[terrydactyls]

Today is Sunday, July 14, it was the 92nd game of the year and the Twins hit 0 home runs.  The Twins are now 57% of the way through the season.  Out of 59 years, the current team ranks 10th on the all-time list of Twins' home runs in one season and are on a pace to hit 301 home runs this season.  They are now 96 home runs behind the single season MLB record.  The next Twins team to pass is the 2009 team that hit 172 home runs.

[jz7233]

It seems every game Schoop would leave 5 men on base. He's already at the bottom of the order. He can't go any lower in the lineup. He needs to go.

[Aerodeliria]

I was more irritated that Arraez led off the next inning with a double and the Twins were unable to get him home, but we did what we set out to do and that was to push Cleveland further back instead of letting them get closer.

[Old Twins Cap]

You know Santana was sitting on a curve ball.

 

He had no chance on the hard stuff.

 

If you want to throw a curve there, put it in the dirt.

[Juddcbrown]

I was irked that Arraez doubled with no outs in the 8th, but Garver wasn’t asked to bunt him to third. Fundamental baseball - give yourselves a chance to tie on a sac fly instead of needing a base hit. Gonzales fly out would have done it.

[ashbury]

I was irked that Arraez doubled with no outs in the 8th, but Garver wasn’t asked to bunt him to third. Fundamental baseball - give yourselves a chance to tie on a sac fly instead of needing a base hit. Gonzales fly out would have done it.

Another fundamental principle - play for the tie at home, but not when on the road.

[sftwinsfan]

They missed a golden opportunity to bury Cleveland today. I think a sweep on their home field coming out of the break and they would have folded not too long afterwards. Still a good series, but the fight for the division goes on. With all the talk of Berrios being an ace it would be nice if he pitched like one once in awhile.  He's overall a solid starter, I just don't think he's reached the level so many people place him at.  

[Aggies7]

14 IP from the starters in 3 games ain’t gonna cut it in October. Not with this bullpen. Amazing they won 2/3 gettin 12 IP from the pen. That can be masked when we hit 3+ HRs a game but not when we struggle with RISP.

[Don Walcott]

Can't wait to see how having Rosario back will help this lineup.

[howeda7]

 

It seems every game Schoop would leave 5 men on base. He's already at the bottom of the order. He can't go any lower in the lineup. He needs to go.

He's hitting like .140 with RISP. I've seen enough too. 

[howeda7]

 

They missed a golden opportunity to bury Cleveland today. I think a sweep on their home field coming out of the break and they would have folded not too long afterwards. Still a good series, but the fight for the division goes on. With all the talk of Berrios being an ace it would be nice if he pitched like one once in awhile.  He's overall a solid starter, I just don't think he's reached the level so many people place him at.  

This is true, but this was also the blessing and curse of him being an all-star. He wasn't sharp in the 1st, gave up a run and threw a ton of pitches. If he's on regular rest, it probably goes differently.

[howeda7]

 

I was irked that Arraez doubled with no outs in the 8th, but Garver wasn’t asked to bunt him to third. Fundamental baseball - give yourselves a chance to tie on a sac fly instead of needing a base hit. Gonzales fly out would have done it.

I also couldn't believe they didn't make Schoop bunt in the 9th. He's been awful and you have a chance to get the tying run to 2nd for Kepler and Polanco.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

14 IP from the starters in 3 games ain’t gonna cut it in October. Not with this bullpen. Amazing they won 2/3 gettin 12 IP from the pen. That can be masked when we hit 3+ HRs a game but not when we struggle with RISP.

A weird statement given how much better the bullpen has been than the rotation.

[Dennesey55347]

The attention is often turned towards pitching in losses like today. I mostly turn mine to offense unless our starter coughs up 8ish runs. Since late April, I've noticed, and openly commented on something specific I was monitoring this season: hits with 2 or more men on. Minus the Bomba, the percentage of men getting left on base in these critical situations is increasing as the season wears. I couldn't honestly name a single player I could count on to put the ball in the gap to score 2 (Escobar). Way too many bad at-bats in crucial times and empty innings. A lineup of streaky hitters are fun when they're on and slightly annoying otherwise. I sure wish we had a Springer, Altuve, LeMahieu, Betts, JD Martinez, Lindor, Carlos Santana, etc. Clutch hitters you definitely want to pitch around. Our version of this guy is whoever's hot that week, and pitchers generally still go after them.

 

I'd (literally) throw Schoop ...and a prospect into a package for a Rogers equal.

[yarnivek1972]

This is true, but this was also the blessing and curse of him being an all-star. He wasn't sharp in the 1st, gave up a run and threw a ton of pitches. If he's on regular rest, it probably goes differently.

Bieber pitched in the all star game too.

[yarnivek1972]

The attention is often turned towards pitching in losses like today. I mostly turn mine to offense unless our starter coughs up 8ish runs. Since late April, I've noticed, and openly commented on something specific I was monitoring this season: hits with 2 or more men on. Minus the Bomba, the percentage of men getting left on base in these critical situations is increasing as the season wears. I couldn't honestly name a single player I could count on to put the ball in the gap to score 2 (Escobar). Way too many bad at-bats in crucial times and empty innings. A lineup of streaky hitters are fun when they're on and slightly annoying otherwise. I sure wish we had a Springer, Altuve, LeMahieu, Betts, JD Martinez, Lindor, Carlos Santana, etc. Clutch hitters you definitely want to pitch around. Our version of this guy is whoever's hot that week, and pitchers generally still go after them.

 

I'd (literally) throw Schoop ...and a prospect into a package for a Rogers equal.

And another team will want Schoop, why exactly?

[USAFChief]

This is true, but this was also the blessing and curse of him being an all-star. He wasn't sharp in the 1st, gave up a run and threw a ton of pitches. If he's on regular rest, it probably goes differently.

huh? One inning last Tuesday??

[Juddcbrown]

Another fundamental principle - play for the tie at home, but not when on the road.

 

There’s no tieing in baseball!

 

In my eyes, they needed to tie the game first, then win it with a mighty Sano hit.

 

Well, maybe someone in the top of the 9th would have gotten that hit.

[yarnivek1972]

There’s no tieing in baseball!In my eyes, they needed to tie the game first, then win it with a mighty Sano hit.Well, maybe someone in the top of the 9th would have gotten that hit.

 

Brad Hand-cuffed them. They got a lucky baserunner due to a fielding misplay. Zero well hit balls.

[Mr. Brooks]

This is true, but this was also the blessing and curse of him being an all-star. He wasn't sharp in the 1st, gave up a run and threw a ton of pitches. If he's on regular rest, it probably goes differently.

He was on regular rest.

[Mr. Brooks]

The attention is often turned towards pitching in losses like today. I mostly turn mine to offense unless our starter coughs up 8ish runs. Since late April, I've noticed, and openly commented on something specific I was monitoring this season: hits with 2 or more men on. Minus the Bomba, the percentage of men getting left on base in these critical situations is increasing as the season wears. I couldn't honestly name a single player I could count on to put the ball in the gap to score 2 (Escobar). Way too many bad at-bats in crucial times and empty innings. A lineup of streaky hitters are fun when they're on and slightly annoying otherwise. I sure wish we had a Springer, Altuve, LeMahieu, Betts, JD Martinez, Lindor, Carlos Santana, etc. Clutch hitters you definitely want to pitch around. Our version of this guy is whoever's hot that week, and pitchers generally still go after them.

 

I'd (literally) throw Schoop ...and a prospect into a package for a Rogers equal.

Why would a team that's selling want a pending free agent?