Yankees 12, Twins 6: Minnesota Denied Sweep After Maeda Rough Start

[Thiéres Rabelo]

The Twins had the chance to sweep the Yankees for the first time in over 31 years. For a third consecutive game, the offense produced six runs, but Kenta Maeda’s worst start in his career and a few defensive mistakes cost Minnesota the game.

Image courtesy of Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports

Box Score
Starting Pitcher: Kenta Maeda, 3.0 IP, 11 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (72 pitches, 46 strikes, 63.9%)
Home Runs: José Miranda 2 (2), Joey Gallo (7)
Bottom 3 WPA: Kenta Maeda (-.423), Max Kepler (-.061), Carlos Correa (-.054)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

Yankees break the game open early
Making his first start since being hit by a comebacker against Boston last week, Kenta Maeda had a rough time to begin this game – and the Yankees weren’t the only ones responsible for it. After he pitched an uneventful, clean first inning, a couple of defensive miscues by Minnesota allowed New York to score five runs in the second inning.

Playing at center field, Nick Gordon made a fine play on a D.J. LeMahieu line drive that ended the first inning. But then, to start the second, he made an odd throw to second to catch Gleyber Torres trying to stretch a single into a double. Carlos Correa was unable to field it, allowing Torres to reach third. In the very next at-bat, Joey Gallo was able to stop a ground ball from Willie Calhoun, but he was far from the bag and failed to make a throw to Maeda on the bag for the out.

Maeda himself couldn’t field an Isiah Kiner-Falefa bunt attempt, and three consecutive Yankee hitters reached to open the second inning. In that play, Maeda fell awkwardly on his stomach, but he continued in the game. The Yankees continued to push, and soon the bases were loaded for New York with only one out. Anthony Volpe (single) and Aaron Judge (double) got back-to-back hits off Maeda to score four more runs.

Miranda’s first home run of the year goes to waste
If the Twins would have any chance to come back from this was if they responded quickly. On the first pitch of the bottom of the second, José Miranda snapped an 0-for-7 with a home run to left, his first of the season. Sadly, that was all Minnesota’s offense could salvage from that inning, and the Yankees would very soon erase that.

Both pitchers tossed a scoreless third, but New York added on in the following inning. With three consecutive hits to open the fourth, two more runs scored on a long double to center by Volpe. Judge drew a walk next, and Anthony Rizzo brought both runners home with a double, making it five consecutive batters reaching before Maeda could record an out. With an apparent injury, Maeda himself seemed to ask to leave the game.

Brent Headrick replaced the Twins’ starter, and after retiring the first batter of the inning, he gave up a two-run home run to Torres, making it 11-1 Yankees. Ten runs were credited to Maeda, making it the worst start of his MLB career. Should the Twins consider shifting him to a bullpen role? Or is it still too soon to think about that?

Twins offense cut New York’s lead in half
Several times this season, we’ve witnessed the Twins pitchers pitch some brilliant games only to find no support from a cold offense. This game was the complete opposite. After New York’s six-run fourth, Minnesota would go on to score five runs on a couple of home runs and a single.

In the bottom of the fourth, Miranda became the third Twin to have a multi-HR game this season: after Trevor Larnach drew a leadoff walk, Miranda blasted high line drive to center to put two more runs on the board. With Headrick eating up as many innings as he could – and doing a great job at it –the offense was able to score two more runs off Yankee starter Domingo Germán. In the sixth inning, already with two outs, Miranda was hit by a pitch to reach for the third time in the afternoon. Gallo stepped up to the plate next and hit his seventh dinger of the year to deep right.

Minnesota even added another run in the seventh after Gordon tripled and was brought home by a Max Kepler force out, but it was just too late. The Yankees got that run back in the eighth on a LeMahieu deep sac-fly to score Volpe from third. It was an impressive defensive play by Larnach, who stole LeMahieu of an extra-base hit that would’ve scored at least two runs.

Postgame interview

What’s Next?
The homestand continues for the Twins. Starting on Thursday (4/27), they host the Kansas City Royals for a four-game series until Sunday. Coming off his best start of the season last Friday, Tyler Mahle (1-2, 3.32 ERA) starts the game for Minnesota, with Zack Greinke (0-3, 4.61 ERA) taking the mound for Kansas City. Tomorrow’s first pitch is scheduled for 6:40 pm CDT.

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

	SAT	SUN	MON	TUE	WED	TOT
Headrick	3	0	0	0	83	86
Durán	0	11	0	15	0	26
Morán	0	0	24	0	0	24
Jax	0	0	23	0	0	23
Thielbar	0	18	0	0	0	18
López	0	7	0	10	0	17
Pagán	0	0	0	0	10	10
Stewart	0	0	0	0	0	0

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[minman1982]

I was at work and couldn't watch. What is up with Maeda? Does he need some more time to recover from TJ or is it time to find a new role and let Ober or Varland start in his place?

[jkcarew]

Gallo with better HR and OPS numbers than Aaron Judge and Yordan Alverez.

I know that won't hold up...but, what if it does? 🤩 (Gallo with only the 7th-highest K% on the club, as well...which seems astounding.)

Rocco's dilemma:...continue to 'shield' him in the bottom of the order...or move him up to get him more PA.

[blindeke]

16 minutes ago, jkcarew said:

Gallo with better HR and OPS numbers than Aaron Judge and Yordan Alverez.

I know that won't hold up...but, what if it does? 🤩 (Gallo with only the 7th-highest K% on the club, as well...which seems astounding.)

Rocco's dilemma:...continue to 'shield' him in the bottom of the order...or move him up to get him more PA.

That's either a good sign for Gallo or a terrible sign for six Twins hitters. 

[2wins87]

Well, I guess winning more than the first two in a series is still too much to ask for right now.

Without the Maeda implosion there would have been lots of positives to talk about.

Miranda might be taking a step towards getting right. And more debatably, Gordon too.

Headrick had another very good long relief appearance, getting tons of whiffs on his slider.  I thought I was high on him pre-season putting him in my personal top 20 prospects, but it's gotta be a real confidence boost seeing his ability to get good major league hitters out.  Probably he's destined for AAA after using so many bullets today, but I don't mind seeing him get back to a regular starting schedule in the minors either.

On the negative side, Solano had another rough day in the field for the second consecutive game.  While I knew coming into the season that his skillset was similar to Arraez, he doesn't take those skills to the same level, and without the goodwill that Arraez has, I'm not sure how much longer we're going to want to see him played in the field if it becomes a trend. 

And of course Maeda. I know that we have to actually give him a chance to come back from TJ, but I think it's becoming tougher to justify giving him a starting role over Ober and Varland.  If Maeda's arm is tiring after a few innings, maybe he ought to be trying to build back up in a long relief role anyway?  I think he's looked shaky all year.  The fastball velocity is down a bit, though that's probably not the main issue.  I don't know that I ever thought his control of his secondaries seemed to be "pinpoint", but they worked for him in 2020, and they definitely were not working today.

[Doctor Gast]

Maeda who had TJ, absent from MLB for awhile. 35yrs and was hit on the ankle by a line drive, they should not have started him. At least been put him on a very short leash with a fireman ready to put out any fires. I surely wouldn't have kept him in the game to see if he could work himself out of it, because in his case if he's not on then forget it. If damage was controlled right away, we'd have a chance to win the game, especially scoring 6 runs again.

Headrick did a good job on coming into the game on short notice. Has Headrick had any BP experience before this? It's quite a bit different in preparations than starting. Good thing we had him to pitch 5 innings to spare the BP while still giving us a fighting chance.

[jkcarew]

22 minutes ago, blindeke said:

That's either a good sign for Gallo or a terrible sign for six Twins hitters. 

We're golden if Gallo stays where he is K-wise over the course of the year (30%).

Can kinda be a story of 'be careful what you wish for' though. The guys with the lowest K-rate on the twins...

Gordon (by a mile); then Kepler (also very low); and Correa and Miranda have also been among the lower K guys on the team.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I’m glad Maeda has made a recovery from some of the bad luck injuries that have struck him. He seems like a decent guy. He has looked cooked since spring training. I don’t think we need to see two more starts at this point. Let’s hope the team has another way for him to contribute. If he does get another start or two, I hope he gives us 5-6 solid innings. 

The radio guys mentioned that Maeda has been taken off the field by the trainer in 3 of his 4 starts. 

And my thought was, “Like a mustache lion dragging a gazelle through the Serengeti.”
 

 

[h2oface]

No Baldelli presser included today? At least not yet. He has some 'xplain'n' to do.....

I so hate when the manager throws in the towel in the 4th inning. Maeda should have not even started the 4th, maybe the 3rd. He didn't get one out, anyway in the 4th! That was still a winnable game until he just quit trying to win it. 

[HokieRif]

I didn’t see the game but I have two thoughts:

1) Maeda needs to go to St Paul and figure things out; Bailey Ober needs to be back up

2) Anyone that knows this club could see this loss coming after the way the season series victory was celebrated last night. What better way to celebrate a moral victory than with a hangover-fueled blowout loss. 

[roger]

Gotta wonder if Maeda was still feeling effects of line drive to his ankle.  Also seemed he hurt something in the second inning when falling on that bunt.

Don’t know if he needs the IR and rehab assignment.  But seems they better be planning on Ober making his next start.

[Beast]

So they’re just going to keep running Maeda out there aren’t they?

Get him out of the damn rotation and get Ober in there.  My God.  What is with them and their inability to recognize when a pitcher stinks.

[USAFChief]

Concur with Hosken, Maeda hasn't looked like a capable MLB starter since February. 

I'd prefer Varland to Ober, but either way, make the change.

[CRF]

1 hour ago, h2oface said:

No Baldelli presser included today? At least not yet. He has some 'xplain'n' to do.....

I so hate when the manager throws in the towel in the 4th inning. Maeda should have not even started the 4th, maybe the 3rd. He didn't get one out, anyway in the 4th! That was still a winnable game until he just quit trying to win it. 

Absolutely 100% correct. Rocco waived the white flag today. No way Maeda should've been left in that game...he was getting killed. 

[mikelink45]

It would be one thing if they just blew us away in every aspect, but our bats worked today.  6 runs should be a victory or a close loss. Sorry, but Maeda needs to prove some things to stay in the lineup if we are serious about contending. 

[Blyleven2011]

It was kinda of an ugly lineup  today  , batting Kepler first and jeffers 3rd just doesn't do it for me ...

Sitting Buxton and Polanco  for the game when it should have been  Correa  ( slow start )  ...

Got uglier when Rocco left maeda  in to long  ,,,

nice the rookie headrick gave us 5 innings and Miranda's swing today was better ( hope he has made the right tweak to his swing ) ...

We need Miranda's bat and Correa's too  ...

[Blyleven2011]

55 minutes ago, Beast said:

So they’re just going to keep running Maeda out there aren’t they?

Get him out of the damn rotation and get Ober in there.  My God.  What is with them and their inability to recognize when a pitcher stinks.

They are going to keep doing what they are doing regardless of what the fans thinks ...

Remember they think they are the smartest people in the room ( I cut them no slack ) ...

[hitterscount]

If they are serious about a Central title and maybe a playoff series win, which I assume that they are, Maeda either needs to be moved to the BP or released. Ober should have been the 5th starter coming out of spring training where he earned that spot. Maeda has looked bad all year. His velocity, movement and location has been terrible all year, and no sports an ERA 0f 9.00. I honestly would take Bundy or Archer over him.

Solano's defense is really bad. He is lucky in not being charged with any errors, however he is not making the plays you expect at the big-league level, probably cost Maeda 2-3. runs alone today. 

Stepping back and looking at the schedule you have to be happy with 14 wins considering we have had some tough series against the Astros, Red Sox and Yankees twice. Get 3 of 4 this weekend and it will have been a great April. 

 

[Shaitan]

Even Joe Nathan lost the closer's role after TJ. 

Recovery takes time. And it's about more than joints and muscles and conditioning.

That said, Maeda has left every game with the trainer, to paraphrase the radio team. That's a problem. I think it's logical to IL him, then let him rebuild with shorter appearances. They have the depth now. Use it.

[tony&rodney]

Maeda was not good (understatement), but the defense was pretty pathetic. Solano is merely a DH/ pinch hitter at this point. Gordon is totally stretched in centerfield.

On a positive note we saw Joey Gallo glide across the grass in CF in the 9th inning to make a decent play look very routine. There is our centerfielder versus right handers when/ if Kirilloff manages to earn his way on to the team.

[mikelink45]

1 hour ago, Blyleven2011 said:

It was kinda of an ugly lineup  today  , batting Kepler first and jeffers 3rd just doesn't do it for me ...

Sitting Buxton and Polanco  for the game when it should have been  Correa  ( slow start )  ...

Got uglier when Rocco left maeda  in to long  ,,,

nice the rookie headrick gave us 5 innings and Miranda's swing today was better ( hope he has made the right tweak to his swing ) ...

We need Miranda's bat and Correa's too  ...

I agree - Kepler has been batted 1st and 4th this week - why?   Buxton and Polanco sit against the Yankees - why?  Maeda left in until double figures - why?  Too much confusion and I am sure Rocco does not care.

 

[Danchat]

Turns out they skipped Maeda's previous turn in the rotation for a good reason...

Color me surprised on Gallo so far, let's hope he can maintain this level of slugging later in the year. 

13 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

On a positive note we saw Joey Gallo glide across the grass in CF in the 9th inning to make a decent play look very routine.

He was signed to play outfield initially, and he derives quite a bit of his value from playing well in the corners, so I expect him to be out there once Kirilloff is back, it just remains to be see if Kirilloff can hold down the 1B job.

[RickOShea]

We all have a decent idea of what the fans think of Baldelli.  Will the FO ever follow suit?  Today's finale with the Yankees really exposed where Baldelli is coming from.  The lineup was another hodge podge, his pitching decisions were questionable, and the worst is that he pretty much threw in the towel, with half a game to be played.  What is going through his mind?  It's one thing to have ateam that has needs, but to compound things with a manager like Baldelli, is not acceptable.  Twins fans have gone through many years of suffering, frustration and mediocrity. We need a manager who can shake things up and make things happen,  Obviously, this type of team is not Baldelli's forte.  So we go through the motions again and again, with the same results.  1987 and 1991  should not be the only exceptions to years of mediocrity.

.

[SwainZag]

2 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

It was kinda of an ugly lineup  today  , batting Kepler first and jeffers 3rd just doesn't do it for me ...

Sitting Buxton and Polanco  for the game when it should have been  Correa  ( slow start )  ...

Got uglier when Rocco left maeda  in to long  ,,,

nice the rookie headrick gave us 5 innings and Miranda's swing today was better ( hope he has made the right tweak to his swing ) ...

We need Miranda's bat and Correa's too  ...

In the last 7 games before today Kepler was slashing: .350/.391/.500.  It's a small sample size, but he has been one of the better hitters as of late.  Also, Larnach hit 3rd, not Jeffers, he was brought it as a replacement late.

[FlyingFinn]

58 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Maeda was not good (understatement), but the defense was pretty pathetic. Solano is merely a DH/ pinch hitter at this point. Gordon is totally stretched in centerfield.

On a positive note we saw Joey Gallo glide across the grass in CF in the 9th inning to make a decent play look very routine. There is our centerfielder versus right handers when/ if Kirilloff manages to earn his way on to the team.

Gallo makes Gordon expendable when Kirilloff and Farmer come back. Gordon's most important position at the moment is backup CF.

[SwainZag]

Just now, FlyingFinn said:

Gallo makes Gordon expendable when Kirilloff and Farmer come back. Gordon's most important position at the moment is backup CF.

With no options, the Twins just need to decide if they are ready to cut bait with Gordon.  He hasn't been as bad as the numbers suggest....but how long of a leash does he get? 

[lukeduke1980]

Reminds me of Joe Ryan giving up 10 runs in San Diego last year, hung out to dry for the sake of trying to eat innings.  I don't totally disagree with it, but I wonder how pitchers feel about it 

[dcswede]

Watching Maeda's outings this year, it's clear he's not back. Unfortunately, it's not clear that he will get back. The best, and lowest-risk, answer would seem to be the 60 day IL (saving them the spot on the 40 man), followed by a rehab stint. That way they'll have an idea of what he has to offer, and get him back around the Break. And if his best contribution turns out to be the BP, that would be a more face-saving path to that role than a direct demotion.

[h2oface]

16 hours ago, lukeduke1980 said:

Reminds me of Joe Ryan giving up 10 runs in San Diego last year, hung out to dry for the sake of trying to eat innings.  I don't totally disagree with it, but I wonder how pitchers feel about it 

I totally disagree with it, unless they are a total rental and a one of start or relief and then you have to DFA them anyway for roster spot. Eat innings? If you don't have a staff that can absorb a bad outing you are in trouble, anyway. This was a winnable game early, Even at 5-0 it was just after 3. Your team needs to cover for each other, not sacrifice them.

[stringer bell]

11 minutes ago, dcswede said:

Watching Maeda's outings this year, it's clear he's not back. Unfortunately, it's not clear that he will get back. The best, and lowest-risk, answer would seem to be the 60 day IL (saving them the spot on the 40 man), followed by a rehab stint. That way they'll have an idea of what he has to offer, and get him back around the Break. And if his best contribution turns out to be the BP, that would be a more face-saving path to that role than a direct demotion.

I didn't see Baldelli's comments to the media, but the mlbtraderumors.com report about Maeda seems to indicate that any injury that Maeda is suffering with is relatively minor. It has to be a major injury to put a player on the 60-day IL, so I doubt (so far) that Maeda will be placed on that list. It seems very likely that he'll go on the 15-day IL and that will allow for either Varland or Ober to take his place in the rotation.