Article: Twins Game Recap (7/28): Bats Bounce Back Behind Gibson’s Strong Outing

[Cooper Carlson]

The Twins were able to pull off a series win to go with an easy victory today in Chicago. The bats got going immediately, led by the top of the order. The White Sox has no real answer against this Twins pitching staff.Box Score

Gibson: 6.0 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K, 68.8% strikes (66 of 96 pitches)

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

Home Runs: Polanco (16), Sano (18), Schoop (16), Kepler (28)

Multi-Hit Games: Polanco (2-for-5), Cruz (2-for-5), Sano (3-for-4), Kepler (2-for-5)

 

Top 3 WPA: Polanco (.130), Sano (.124), Gibson (.106)

 

Solid start for the offense

 

After a rough game yesterday, the Twins offense got off to the best start possible, scoring five runs before there was even an out recorded. Max Kepler doubled, Polanco homered, Cruz singled, Arraez singled, and Sano homered before the White Sox had to pull Dylan Covey after 14 pitches.

 

 

The offense was stifled a bit for the next two innings, but the fourth inning had a nice two out rally. Kepler reached on an error, Polanco singled and then Cruz drove them both in with a big double to left field.

 

Gibson cruises into the sixth

 

Twins starter Kyle Gibson went five solid innings, giving up four total baserunners and striking out five before he started to struggle in the sixth. It was 9-0 in favor of the Twins at the time, so Gibson was left in to work out of his mess and he did just fine. The inning started with a single, walk, single, single, and then a clutch called strikeout (thanks Angel Hernandez). Gibson was able to ride that wave and strike out the next two batters to leave the inning still leading 9-1.

 

The offense was able to get that run back and then some with a couple of two run bombs from Max Kepler and Jonathan Schoop.

 

 

The Twins bullpen finishes off the game strong

 

After a strange sixth inning from Gibson, the bullpen came in and did it’s job. It started with Ryne Harper in the 7th, Tyler Duffey in the 8th and future reliever of the year Sean Poppen to finish it off. They threw a perfect three innings and tacked on one strikeout each to put this game and series to rest on a good note. The Twins bullpen has been getting better lately and with the addition of Sergio Romo it only gets better from here.

 

Twins head into off day with two game division lead

 

The Twins won the game by a final score of 11-1 and there was really no doubt at any point. The Twins were able to come up huge this series by taking three of four in Chicago. Not only did the Twins win, but the Indians lost so the Twins were able to get that game back and will head into tomorrow’s off day with a two game lead over Cleveland.

 

As the deadline nears, the Twins look like they will continue to add to their pitching staff after the Sergio Romo upgrade. The deadline is at 3:00 P.M Central time on Wednesday so keep checking back here for updates.

 

Twins win!

 

 

 

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

[Bandit34]

Now that was a classic Twins game that we are hoping to see a lot in the next 2 months!

[Monticore]

Can't believe they finally picked a game up on Cleveland.

[jimbo92107]

When Gibby's throwing good and the band is back together, this team can really knock in some runs. 

 

How good will Max Kepler be when he finally learns this game?

[puckstopper1]

Cleveland lost to KC??  

 

Must be a misprint...

[Brock Beauchamp]

Cleveland lost to KC??

 

Must be a misprint...

And they finally have to play some real MLB teams starting on Tuesday (Houston, then the Angels).

[diehardtwinsfan]

apparently, Stroman is a Met. 

[bighat]

 

apparently, Stroman is a Met. 

 

One school of thought says this means they're going to move Syndergaard. Stroman is under control for 2020 so he'll essentially replace Thor, and the Mets will replace the prospects they lost in the Stroman deal with better prospects when they trade Syndergaard.

 

In the end though, it's one more pitcher gone off the market.

 

Nice to see the rebound game. More. Of. This. Cleveland lost and Bauer blew a gasket, all very nice to see while winning in a laugher. Taking 3 of 4 on the road against any MLB team is a great series.

 

Was Romo in the bullpen today? Twins wasted a plane ticket, could have just left him in Miami and met him there.

 

How about a good old fashioned hot streak right about now? 5-6 wins in a row would be just what the doctor ordered. Create some space.

[FLTwinsGuy]

One school of thought says this means they're going to move Syndergaard. Stroman is under control for 2020 so he'll essentially replace Thor, and the Mets will replace the prospects they lost in the Stroman deal with better prospects when they trade Syndergaard.

 

In the end though, it's one more pitcher gone off the market.

 

Nice to see the rebound game. More. Of. This. Cleveland lost and Bauer blew a gasket, all very nice to see while winning in a laugher. Taking 3 of 4 on the road against any MLB team is a great series.

 

Was Romo in the bullpen today? Twins wasted a plane ticket, could have just left him in Miami and met him there.

 

How about a good old fashioned hot streak right about now? 5-6 wins in a row would be just what the doctor ordered. Create some space.

Didnt understand Romo coming up either but apparently he was the one who wanted to make the 1 day trip to Chicago.. Edited July 28, 2019 by FLTwinsGuy

[terrydactyls]

Today is Sunday, July 28, it was the 105th game of the year and the Twins hit 4 home runs giving them a total of 205 home runs for the season.  The Twins are now 65% of the way through the season.  Out of 59 years, the current team ranks 4th on the all-time list of Twins' home runs in one season and are on a pace to hit 316 home runs this season.  They are now 62 home runs behind the single season MLB record.  The next Twins team to pass is the 2017 team that hit 206 home runs.

[Squirrel]

I think it’s great Romo came up just for one day. Wanting to get going, meet his new teammates and get the feel of things, watch a division rival play and see their players. Makes sense to me.

[wabene]

Good move to come up and meet your new mates. The guy appears excited to make a run and his leadership is part of the package.

[IndianaTwin]

I loved his quotes in this article. If this is anywhere close to genuine, that's exactly the kind of attitude I want on the team. So if he wants to come and meet the new teammates, a thousand bucks for a round-trip ticket and a taxi is well worth paying. 

 

https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/sergio-romo-joins-twins-for-finale-vs-white-sox

[ScooterDance]

Yeah after reading those quotes this guy became an instant favorite of mine. Maybe it’s the euphoria of trading in jeter for a pennant race, but I love this guys attitude.

[jkcarew]

Would have been probably professionally ill-advised, if not irresponsible, for Romo to do what he did...if not for the scheduled off-day tomorrow. That gave him the opportunity to make the decision he made.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

I loved his quotes in this article. If this is anywhere close to genuine, that's exactly the kind of attitude I want on the team. So if he wants to come and meet the new teammates, a thousand bucks for a round-trip ticket and a taxi is well worth paying.

 

https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/sergio-romo-joins-twins-for-finale-vs-white-sox

that interview was aired during pregame. He said something to the effect of “I got to sleep around 2AM, got up for my flight at 4:00” He was absolutely buzzing with energy on two hours of sleep. He seemed really amped up to make a playoff push.

 

He’s a little goofy, but he impressed me. I’m pretty meh on him still as a pitcher, but he’s already growing on me as a human being.

[Alex Schieferdecker]

So much green in the bullpen chart, and an off day tomorrow!

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

So much green in the bullpen chart, and an off day tomorrow!

All those green zeroes following Rogers' name is a welcome sight, that's for sure.

[ashbury]

All those green zeroes following Rogers' name is a welcome sight, that's for sure.

Now if something goes wrong in his next outing we can blame the rust!

[puckstopper1]

 

I loved his quotes in this article. If this is anywhere close to genuine, that's exactly the kind of attitude I want on the team. So if he wants to come and meet the new teammates, a thousand bucks for a round-trip ticket and a taxi is well worth paying. 

 

https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/sergio-romo-joins-twins-for-finale-vs-white-sox

 

What was your favorite Carlos Torres moment?

 

Romo replacing Torres is a definite upgrade, and raises the "floor" of the bullpen IMO.

[Mr. Brooks]

Would have been probably professionally ill-advised, if not irresponsible, for Romo to do what he did...if not for the scheduled off-day tomorrow. That gave him the opportunity to make the decision he made.

Why would it have been ill advised?

[jkcarew]

Why would it have been ill advised?

Well, he got little-to-no sleep in getting himself to Chicago in the wee hours today (this has been reported). Then turns around and travels back to Miami this evening...and has to make himself available less than 24 hours after his return to perform in a pennant race. That would have been the scenario without the scheduled day off. I’m pretty confident he would not have made the trip if not for the scheduled off day tomorrow.

Edited July 29, 2019 by jkcarew

[Tom Froemming]

Five runs before recording an out? Unreal. Great to see Gibby pitch well with the lead. Here's a quick look at some highlights.

[ashbury]

What was your favorite Carlos Torres moment?

Well, there was that one time. I still remember it well. As if it was yesterday. Or, maybe the day before. Memory is funny like that.

[Mr. Brooks]

Well, he got little-to-no sleep in getting himself to Chicago in the wee hours today (this has been reported). Then turns around and travels back to Miami this evening...and has to make himself available less than 24 hours after his return to perform in a pennant race. That would have been the scenario without the scheduled day off. I’m pretty confident he would not have made the trip if not for the scheduled off day tomorrow.

I mean there are trauma surgeons that work 30 hours straight in disaster zones. And they're saving lives.

The human body can handle more than a late night 30 hours before a 3 hour baseball game.

He would have been just fine.

[Squirrel]

I just can't believe people have an issue with Romo being at the game today. I really don't get it. He's a Twin now. The deal was done. And he wanted to join his team right away. And be with and get to know his new 'mates. And he's excited and wants to be here. So ... why is that a problem? I think it's great and am glad he feels that way. 

[Nine of twelve]

 

Was Romo in the bullpen today? Twins wasted a plane ticket, could have just left him in Miami and met him there.

 

Reverse jinx, prevention of Murphy's Law, call it whatever you want. Having him available just in case prevented "just in case" from happening.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Was Romo in the bullpen today? Twins wasted a plane ticket, could have just left him in Miami and met him there.

Yes, because a team with an operating budget somewhere around $300m a year should definitely prioritize an $800 plane ticket.

 

Also, maybe they should limit the number of player bats that can go on the plane to save on fuel.

[twinsnorth49]

Not enough mention of Sano going oppo on that home run. That's an exciting development if he can add that to his attack with some regularity.

 

His approach the last few weeks has been great to watch.

[IndianaTwin]

Romo being able to spend the off day with teammates will also be a benefit. I’m guessing he’ll be eating with and sharing a row on the plane with either Johnson, Garver, or Castro, for example.