GAME THREAD: Minnesota Twins at Boston Red Sox; 04/18/2023, 6:10pm Central Daylight Time

[ashbury]

Whatever soul searching went on after the two Yankees losses, plumbed a dry well apparently.

[IndyTwinsFan]

1 minute ago, Nine of twelve said:

Rocco's got some 'splainin' to do.

Problem is he'll probably just tap dance around the question and not really answer it.

[Aggies7]

That’s why I let the closer close out games. It’s just different 🤷‍♂️

[mrtwinsfan]

3++   Hours of pure ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

[USAFChief]

******* awful. 

[Jocko87]

6 minutes ago, Aggies7 said:

He was almost stopped when it hit the wall!

Because the game was over or it was a foul ball. I'm surprised he even threw back in. Did he have a chance to catch it? If not it doesn't matter.

[IndyTwinsFan]

1 minute ago, mrtwinsfan said:

3++   Hours of pure ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

I'd hit "Like" multiple times, if I could. 

[Aggies7]

2 minutes ago, Jocko87 said:

Because the game was over or it was a foul ball. I'm surprised he even threw back in. Did he have a chance to catch it? If not it doesn't matter.

He was 100% not running full speed. Watch the play, it was a high pop up. He threw it in probably because he forgot the situation. Looked like he was clueless the whole way.

[Danchat]

Maybe y'all were right about this one:

 

[stringer bell]

I’m not blaming Kepler, but I don’t think he’s 100%. The few times he’s gotten on base, he hasn’t moved well. His play in the outfield seems sluggish. He kind of misplayed a ball into a homer on Sunday and didn’t get to that high fly in the corner. Last year before he got beat up, I thought he played his best defense of his career. SSS, but this year isn’t even close. 

[mrtwinsfan]

Honestly believe Rocco would of only brought in Pagan for the next inning, or  he wanted to save relievers for tomm ?  either way    Moran  should of never pitched after the DP

[Aggies7]

3 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

I’m not blaming Kepler, but I don’t think he’s 100%. The few times he’s gotten on base, he hasn’t moved well. His play in the outfield seems sluggish. He kind of misplayed a ball into a homer on Sunday and didn’t get to that high fly in the corner. Last year before he got beat up, I thought he played his best defense of his career. SSS, but this year isn’t even close. 

He seems mentally not 100%. How did he run after the ball after it clearly ended the game? There were two outs and a guy at third. Someone was sleeping 

[tony&rodney]

28 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

Kepler casually jogged to that. Come on dude. 

Catchable ball, but Max thought it was foul. Long season but how does management view that play?

[tony&rodney]

Kepler to the IL? He is not well, moving uncharacteristically awkward.

[wabene]

Tough game, tough to watch. Man it just doesn't seem like Kepler is all in. 

I didn't like Moran with a runner on already. Yes he did get a tough beat with the strikeout, but he can't find the plate enough for this situation. The other choices were Pagan or Alcala. Not ideal 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

That loss is on Moran for lack of pitch control, Kepler, for lack of caring and lack of hustle and Rocco for playing them. Awful.  If Kep is in the starting  lineup tomorrow I'm not happy. Kep needs to be taught a lesson about effort. Let him sit on the bench and think about his failure to hustle on the last play. 

[SwainZag]

Everyone ripping Kepler should be ripping the insanely dumb stadium that is Fenway.  The ball literally hit the outfield side wall and was fair.  I get that Kep is the Twin to rip on constantly these days because Sano is gone, but he did homer to give the Twins the lead earlier.

Also shocked at the hindsight of so many posters saying he should have gone to Pagan.  After Moran got the DP, the lefty on lefty play was the move.  Verdugo is much worse against lefties than he is against righties.   Moran's control killed him.

Gray's pitch count killed him as well.  Rocco could have gone someone else in the 6th and saved Lopez, but Thielbar was the excellent choice in the 7th with the Sox due up L-L-L.  If Pagan or Alcala could have gone the 6th, they could have save Lopez for the 9th and Duran in the 10th.  Or Duran could have gone more than an inning.  Moran did himself no favors tonight, but I can't imagine the disgust around here if Rocco brings in Pagan to face Verdugo and the same outcome happens.  

Either way, ****** loss.

[RickOShea]

Keppler's a big time liability on this team.  What he fails at physically, he compounds mentally, with his attitude.  The dude needs help.