Game Recap: Twins 0, Boston 4

[Sherry Cerny]

The Second game of the Boston series started out with Sonny Gray pulling himself out in the second inning with an apparent Hamstring injury and while Josh Winder certainly came out and got the job done, the offense was unable to get anything going and were consequently shut out. While there were some frustrating parts, Larnach had a good game and it was great to see Gordon getting some outfield catches. 

 

Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

 

Sonny Gray looked like he was going to have a good day against the Red Sox. Gray, who has a 1-6 record against the Red Sox, managed a quick one, two, three inning, with the help of the defense and striking out Bogaerts looking. Verdugo, who typically doesn’t hit  against right handers was put on the line-up and against Gray’s what was supposed to be cutter ended up right in the sweet spot for Verdugo to crush the ball into right field giving Boston the initial lead of the day with a two-run home run. 

Gray, who had been a bit behind the count in the first two innings seemed to struggle a bit more and called out the training staff and Rocco Baldelli after a pitch to Bobby Dalbec. During his release, Sonny hopped off the mound grabbing and massaging his right hamstring. He took himself off the mound bringing in Josh Winder. 

Nick Gordon, who seems to be trending in the upward trajectory with the club, got things going in the top of the third making it to third base, but was stranded after a double-play from Jeffers and a dribbled hit from Arraez. Tanner Houck, who does struggle to place his pitches in the zone, gave the Twins opportunities to get some runs, the offense just couldn’t seem to capitalize on opportunities.  leaving the Twins shut out in game two of the series. 

Winder got a fresh start in the third inning, only gave up two hits, but consequently one of those hits ended up being a two run home-run to Bogaert. Winder didn’t give up anymore runs and continued to find his stride with some walks and hits, and got out of another potentially messy fourth inning when Gordon trailed and caught a fly ball hit deep by Jackie Bradley, Jr and closed out the inning. 

Winder, who is normally a starter has had some weird starts coming in as a mid-reliever first in the Dodgers series and now Boston. He stayed consistent and while the outings he got were less than perfect, he was able to get out of them showing why he is a perfect match for this rotation and club. Winder ended the day with 66 pitches, 5.1 IP, 4 hits, 2 runs, 2 errors, 1 walk and 2 strikes. He did an amazing job. 

Trevor Larnach seemed to have a good day, getting two hits and breaking his 0-5 hitting streak getting a single before getting out on a double-play from Gio Urshela. His next at-bat Larnach hit again deep to center, bouncing off the green monster for a double before being pulled with a pinch-runner, only to be left stranded again by another substandard at-bat by Urshela. 

The Twins just could not get the bats going against the Boston pitching, but there are still two games left in this series and the guys could finish with at least a split. 
 

What’s Next? 

The Twins will continue their series at home with the Boston Red Sox tomorrow at 12:35ct with Bailey Ober going against Michael Wacha.

Postgame Interview (Bally Sports Tweets)

Coming soon.

 

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[wsnydes]

Mentioned this in the game thread, but I'll add it here too.  Cold bats continue to be an issue for this team.  The pitching has largely done their job.

[blindeke]

Or they could win the next two games and take the series!

[Monticore]

Good for Larnach.

[ashbury]

Good game for Winder, and good games at the plate for Larnach and Arraez and Sano.  The others.... not so much.

[stringer bell]

Larnach wasn't pulled for a pinch runner and in fact got a third hit in the ninth.

[stringer bell]

I would expect that Gray is put on the Injured List. 10 days means he only misses one start and the Twins do have an extra starter (two if you count Winder). 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

[mikelink45]

7 minutes ago, Otto von Ballpark said:

 

I heard that Buxton was not that severe either - but now we do not have either one.  Bad situation for the team and I think Winder is ready to step in. 

[mikelink45]

Is it time to be concerned about Jeffers bat?  

[Linus]

I don’t get it.  The Twins got shutout with 10 strikeouts and yet this recap would indicate some level of success. Not accurate reporting. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

13 minutes ago, Linus said:

I don’t get it.  The Twins got shutout with 10 strikeouts and yet this recap would indicate some level of success. Not accurate reporting. 

A few days ago, we got shut out with 14 strikeouts. Baby steps!

[twinssporto]

3 hours ago, Linus said:

I don’t get it.  The Twins got shutout with 10 strikeouts and yet this recap would indicate some level of success. Not accurate reporting. 

We are in an echo chamber. We all love the Twins...even when they get shutout with 10 strikeouts.

[h2oface]

It would be nice to see Correa start earning his keep, Immediately if not sooner.

[whosafraidofluigirussolo]

I thought it was lefties against whom Verdugo often sits, not righties...?

[jimbo92107]

Actually, this game was pretty encouraging. Josh Winder stepped in for his first long relief appearance, and he didn't unravel or look particularly overwhelmed. He did give up a homer to Boston's hottest hitter, but I expect that's going to happen to a lot of pitchers. Let's remember, this is his rookie year. He's not pitching like a rookie. 

Trevor Larnach had a good day at the plate. Also good to see. 

[bighat]

12 hours ago, blindeke said:

Or they could win the next two games and take the series!

Sure hope so. Because losing the next two will drop the Twins to 3-7 and be under some serious pressure to win series in KC and against Chicago. We saw last year that falling behind in April can shut the door on hope very quickly.

11 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Is it time to be concerned about Jeffers bat?  

Shouldn't we have been concerned as soon as they traded Garver? Jeffers hit .190 last year, ran into a couple for a few HRs, but there was never anything to indicate he was going to be even a .240 hitter in the majors. How crazy is it that we'd be happy if our starting catchers both hit .220? Awful.

7 hours ago, h2oface said:

It would be nice to see Correa start earning his keep, Immediately if not sooner.

Sure would. We're still just 10 games in but Correa needs to play like an All-Star asap if this team wants to content.

[PopRiveter]

Teamwide triple-slash line is .189/.283/.369 right now. The bats need to come alive.  

It’s been tough sledding so far facing very strong teams, mostly in cold weather. I’m optimistic this group will finds its way, but Buxton and Gray both leaving games with injury is frightening. 

[Whitey333]

Twins lost 4-0.  I thought I would mention that as some people talk as if they won.  I am very glad individually for Larnach and Winder but at this level bottom line is win ing.  Twins are 3-5.  Not good. 

[puckstopper1]

10 minutes ago, Whitey333 said:

Twins lost 4-0.  I thought I would mention that as some people talk as if they won.  I am very glad individually for Larnach and Winder but at this level bottom line is win ing.  Twins are 3-5.  Not good. 

Should read...

The Twins are 3-5 and are not good...

[Linus]

Can we stop with the cold weather excuses? Both teams are playing in the same weather and the games count just as much as when the sun is shining. 

[stringer bell]

Weather is not an excuse to be 3-5, but I think the offense will improve with warmer weather. The flip side is that the pitchers numbers might not good so good a month from now.