Yankees 2, Twins 0: Gerrit Cole Silences Twins Bats

[Theodore Tollefson]

The Twins played their Sunday finale against the Yankees in New York looking for their first series win in Yankee Stadium since 2014. The last time the Twins went into Yankee Stadium and won a four-game series against them was from June 21-24 of 1991. 

Could the magic of 1991 rub off on the Twins on Sunday, or would the same old script of the last 32 years rear its ugly head in The Bronx?
 

Image courtesy of Wendell Cruz, USA Today Sports

Box Score
SP: Pablo Lopez 6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K (103 pitches, 67 strikes (68% strikes))
Home Runs: none
Bottom 3 WPA: Jose Miranda -.112, Edouard Julien -.103, Carlos Correa -.099

Win Probability Chart

A Pitchers Duel for a Sunday Matinee 
Sunday’s game was all about the pitchers, Gerrit Cole and Pablo Lopez. Lopez had his most shaky start of the season so far, by his high standards, but it was still a phenomenal outing, especially for a Twins pitcher in Yankee Stadium.

Lopez kept great command of the strike zone Sunday whiffing a lot of hitters with his sweeper and fastball. He totaled seven strikeouts on the afternoon and 13 swings and misses. Lopez walked one batter the entire afternoon. 

Lopez hit 97.4 MPH on the radar gun with his fastball to strike out the likes of Aaron Judge. The Yankees hitters were still making strong contact against the pitch getting the ball in play six times and getting three hits on that contact. 

His biggest "mistake" came in his final inning of work in the sixth allowing a lead-off home run to D.J. LeMahieu that gave the Yankees a 2-0 lead. The Yankees tried to rally more runs in the inning as Jose Trevino singled, but Lopez shut down the rally and got out of the inning unscathed with his final strikeout of the afternoon. 

Lopez was done after the sixth as he reached a season-high 103 pitches, only five more pitches thrown than his last start against the White Sox on Tuesday. 

Questionable Umpiring Continues
Saturday’s game came with questionable umpiring by not enforcing their pitcher substance rules on Domingo German. The bias toward the Yankees continued into Sunday in the bottom of the third inning, when they let Anthony Rizzo remain on base after the Twins challenged a hit-by-pitch call. 

That hit-by-pitch moved Aaron Judge into scoring position and he eventually scored the first run of the game on a LeMahieu RBI single. With LeMahieu’s home run later in the game, the advancement of Judge to second may not have been as costly considering how the Twins bats were all day. 

Hitting Woes All Game
The Twins had no hits against Cole through the first 4 2/3 innings of the game. Donovan Solano ended the no-hit bid before the fifth inning was completed. Cole got Max Kepler on a comebacker to end the inning. 

Aside from Solano’s hit the Twins managed only one other hit, a single from Michael A. Taylor in the top of the sixth. Edouard Julien sacrificed Taylor to second. Cole shut down Carlos Correa to prevent Taylor to have a chance to score.

The Twins managed to get 13 additional balls in play against Cole but his 10 strikeouts through eight innings had the Twins hitters overmatched all afternoon. 

Other Notes
While he had a tough game, Jose Miranda was able to put on a defensive show for his famous cousin and Hamilton creator, Lin Manuel Miranda, early in the game. Miranda helped Lopez escape an early jam in the second inning that kept Willie Calhoun from scoring after a lead-off single. 

What’s Next? 
The Twins have Monday off and will travel to Boston for a three-game series against the Red Sox. Sonny Gray is set to make the start for the Twins Tuesday night against Boston. The Red Sox have yet to announce a starter. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. C.T. 

Postgame Interview 

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

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[Unwinder]

I'm reasonably happy with a series split at Yankee Stadium. Let's bury the Yankees when they come to Target Field though, please.

[USAFChief]

The bias toward the Yankees continued into Sunday in the bottom of the third inning, when they let Anthony Rizzo remain on base after the Twins challenged a hit-by-pitch call. 

 

What bias?

[wsnydes]

If I'm going to get out dueled by someone, I could do considerably worse than Gerrit Cole.

I'll take a series split in NYC any day.  That's not an easy feat for any team.

[ashbury]

The box score reveals the game highlight for me.  2:07 to complete nine* innings and get this monstrosity behind us.

* okay, eight and a half

[USAFChief]

Nice job battling by Lopez. Other than that, disappointing.

[jkcarew]

The Yankees didn't look or feel like a superior team in this series. Let's hope that means good things ahead.

Going into this season, the offense didn't figure to be great. A whole lot of things needed to go right for 'good' to happen, offensively. They haven't so far. I do think it will get somewhat better...especially if Kirilloff can get to 'right'.

The pitching continues to be a joy to watch.

[jkcarew]

7 minutes ago, ashbury said:

The box score reveals the game highlight for me.  2:07 to complete nine* innings and get this monstrosity behind us.

* okay, eight and a half

Amazing, no?!

I honestly never thought I'd see a regulation 2:07 game played again in my lifetime. The clock has been way more impactful than I thought it would. Incredible. (In this game the trifecta of fast baseball...few hits/runs/runners, get-away day, the clock.)

[ashbury]

14 minutes ago, jkcarew said:

Amazing, no?!

I honestly never thought I'd see a regulation 2:07 game played again in my lifetime. The clock has been way more impactful than I thought it would. Incredible. (In this game the trifecta of fast baseball...few hits/runs/runners, get-away day, the clock.)

I know I'm just one data point in MLB's Big Data mining operation, but I am watching a lot more games all the way through than in the past several seasons.  This game today was hard for a Twins fan to take, and yet watchable.

[Longdistancetwins]

4 minutes ago, ashbury said:

I know I'm just one data point in MLB's Big Data mining operation, but I am watching a lot more games all the way through than in the past several seasons.  This game today was hard to take, and yet watchable.

Especially for me being at Yankee Stadium; make the torture quick.  But there were sacrifice attempts and stolen bases (wish we could steal a few…).

[Aggies7]

33 minutes ago, jkcarew said:

The Yankees didn't look or feel like a superior team in this series. Let's hope that means good things ahead.

Going into this season, the offense didn't figure to be great. A whole lot of things needed to go right for 'good' to happen, offensively. They haven't so far. I do think it will get somewhat better...especially if Kirilloff can get to 'right'.

The pitching continues to be a joy to watch.

Problem is that they really haven’t been “dominant” in years. Good, absolutely, but not great. The talent gap between the two teams has not remotely been what the numbers would suggest. The bottom 4-5 guys in their lineup are a heap of mediocre light hitting players. Outside of cole and Cortes, their starting staff is very meh. Ours is certainly better.

[Aggies7]

Two emotional, extremely satisfying wins followed by two games where the twins weren’t remotely a threat. I know we have to be satisfied with every little morsel of success against the Yankees but no I can’t get too excited about the end to that series. Ugly ugly strikeout numbers. No pressure put on the opponent whatsoever.

[Blyleven2011]

Without  reading any of the posts of the writer or members this is my thoughts  ...

Should we be concerned about Buxton  , 10 strikeouts in last 12 at bat's ...

Did playing Buxton through injuries change his swing last year and we know how his average dropped while playing  injured last year  ...

Now he seems he isn't recognizing  pitch selections   ...

Just my thoughts  , GO BUCK 

Now I'll read the post and responses  ...

[Longdistancetwins]

8 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Without  reading any of the posts of the writer or members this is my thoughts  ...

Should we be concerned about Buxton  , 10 strikeouts in last 12 at bat's ...

Did playing Buxton through injuries change his swing last year and we know how his average dropped while playing  injured last year  ...

Now he seems he isn't recognizing  pitch selections   ...

Just my thoughts  , GO BUCK 

Now I'll read the post and responses  ...

Yeah, being at the ballpark today made me embarrassed for—and worried about—Buck.

[Beast]

Can’t complain about a split in NY.  Especially fighting some injury issues.

Could’ve easily won 3 of 4.  Lopez certainly pitched well enough to win, Cole was just on fire (and probably cheating like German).  He probably should’ve only allowed one run.  At the MLB level, the home run that bounced off the top of the wall should be caught, and it’s a can of corn in most other ballparks.

Overall, pretty happy with how things are going.  Asking for more feels unreasonable.

[ashbury]

34 minutes ago, Longdistancetwins said:

Especially for me being at Yankee Stadium; make the torture quick.  But there were sacrifice attempts and stolen bases (wish we could steal a few…).

Where in Yankee Stadium were you seated?  My son was way down the third base line today.

[Beast]

11 minutes ago, Longdistancetwins said:

Yeah, being at the ballpark today made me embarrassed for—and worried about—Buck.

He’s had a very rough few games.  But he also looked like one of the best hitters in baseball for a couple weeks to start the season.

He could be hurt right now.  Maybe he was pitched to a certain way and hasn’t found the adjustment.  Maybe he just hates Yankee Stadium.  Who knows, but I’ll give it a few more games before getting too worried.

[D.C Twins]

32 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Without  reading any of the posts of the writer or members this is my thoughts  ...

Should we be concerned about Buxton  , 10 strikeouts in last 12 at bat's ...

Did playing Buxton through injuries change his swing last year and we know how his average dropped while playing  injured last year  ...

Now he seems he isn't recognizing  pitch selections   ...

Just my thoughts  , GO BUCK 

Now I'll read the post and responses  ...

This! 

I'll add the following... is he playing injured again? What are his numbers since that big spill he took? (post concussion? can't remember if he it his head but seem to remember he did)

Something is not right in my opinion. If it isn't, the Twins need to sit him down an let him get right. 

Please do not repeat the months of injured play he had last year!

 

 

[darwin22]

Echoing the comments of many as prior to this series I would've been elated with a split considering our horrendous record over the years vs. the Yanks. Saying that, pretty deflating last 2 games---scoring 1 run. 

This offense, collectively, is not very good as evidenced by the fact that they rank 12th in the AL with 63 runs scored--outscoring only the A's, Tigers and Royals. Being in 1st place just shows how strong our starting pitching (minus Mahle) has been.   Today marked the 7th game (of 16) that the offense has produced 2 runs or less.  Overall, 10 of 16 games (62.5%) with 3 runs or less.  

Getting Gallo back this week and hopefully Polanco within the next 10 days will spark the offense.  Got to believe that Miranda will get his bat going soon.  Buxton looked totally clueless the last 2 games.  Just brutal.  As for Kepler, what is there to say?  I know just off the DL, but 2-22 (.091) speaks for itself.  

Time to move onto Boston and find a way to win a series.

[mikelink45]

Good series - today we got the definition of an ACE.  Please no more NY bias complaints - we sound like second graders.  The first two games we beat them - and that was great.  The second two they beat us (enough said). 

Out bats are still too anemic.  I know we scored 9 in one inning.  Then 8 in the next 26 innings, 1 in the last two games.  I don't care if Whitey Ford is out there throwing spitballs, 1 run in 18 innings does not work.  

[Longdistancetwins]

57 minutes ago, ashbury said:

Where in Yankee Stadium were you seated?  My son was way down the third base line today.

I used to sit on the first base side to see into the Twins dugout.  Nowadays, I usually let a Yankee-fan friend get the tickets, and he likes to see the pitches by sitting behind home plate high up.  The secondary market works well for these tickets.  I noticed a few Twins fans, but it seemed less than usual, perhaps because it was a Sunday outing for Yankee fans and absolutely perfect weather.  

[wsnydes]

3 hours ago, ashbury said:

I know I'm just one data point in MLB's Big Data mining operation, but I am watching a lot more games all the way through than in the past several seasons.  This game today was hard for a Twins fan to take, and yet watchable.

Reminded me of the Buerhle v Silva matchups of old.  A thing of efficient beauty!

[h2oface]

Tell me again, George... Tell me again how pitchers can't pitch complete games anymore......

Well, Lennie, they certainly can't if they are not given the opportunity. But it can be done sometimes when they are.

 

Cole isn't really that good. It is just the Twins didn't get any hits today while he pitched. 😇

[stringer bell]

Considering that Lopez had only one 1-2-3 inning, 2:07 is really quick. Both runs were in "woulda-shoulda-coulda" territory (the HBP was questionable and probably more than 50% of the time Kepler catches the ball that hit the top of the fence.

[jkcarew]

5 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Without  reading any of the posts of the writer or members this is my thoughts  ...

Should we be concerned about Buxton  , 10 strikeouts in last 12 at bat's ...

Did playing Buxton through injuries change his swing last year and we know how his average dropped while playing  injured last year  ...

Now he seems he isn't recognizing  pitch selections   ...

Just my thoughts  , GO BUCK 

Now I'll read the post and responses  ...

IMO, this is what Buxton is. He generally looks clueless in the batter’s box…and I’m always astounded when pitchers throw his strikes. But he has a pretty proven track record at this point…he’ll get scorchingly hot, just when you think he’ll never get another hit…and go ice, ice cold, just when it looks like he’s going to enter into elite status. Incredibly streaky…and now just happens to be at the bottom of the cycle.

[Blyleven2011]

5 hours ago, D.C Twins said:

This! 

I'll add the following... is he playing injured again? What are his numbers since that big spill he took? (post concussion? can't remember if he it his head but seem to remember he did)

Something is not right in my opinion. If it isn't, the Twins need to sit him down an let him get right. 

Please do not repeat the months of injured play he had last year!

 

 

I agree , Pete and repete  are not funny  ...

I didn't even think about an injury  , I guess I missed his spill ...

[Doctor Wu]

15 hours ago, jkcarew said:

The Yankees didn't look or feel like a superior team in this series. Let's hope that means good things ahead.

Good point, The Yankees certainly don't seem to have that aura of invincibility that they have had in the past --- especially against the Twins. Taking the first two games of this series was an amazing feeling! Hopefully, it gives the Twins the confidence and knowledge that they CAN take on the Yankees and actually win a series. Just not this week. 

[umterp23]

14 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Without  reading any of the posts of the writer or members this is my thoughts  ...

Should we be concerned about Buxton  , 10 strikeouts in last 12 at bat's ...

Did playing Buxton through injuries change his swing last year and we know how his average dropped while playing  injured last year  ...

Now he seems he isn't recognizing  pitch selections   ...

Just my thoughts  , GO BUCK 

Now I'll read the post and responses  ...

Are we still worried about him getting enough rest by just being a DH and not playing the field?  Yankee series he demonstrated he isn't a good DH option.  Yes he was in the lineup but but walking back and forth from home plate to dugout 10 out of 12 times due to K's means he should haven't an off day this week at all.  He is well rested and Twins still won 2 games vs Yankees.

[ashbury]

I just saw this morning's baseball-reference.com's daily summary, and this makes two days in a row that a Yankee starter had the top performance. 

Great job, Twins offense!  😗

[JD-TWINS]

We just played the Yanks, team tied with us for 3rd best record in baseball. We got 3 outstanding pitching outings from starters/relievers! Seems a number of people are disappointed with a series split - don’t get it? Yesterday, Cole cruises through any line-up in baseball.

Great start to year - hoping for 2 of 3 in Boston & getting back to Target Field. Boston is 8-8 and we face Chris Sale tonight so nothing is a given!