Twins 7, White Sox 3 (F/12): López, Bullpen Dazzle, Offense Comes Through in Extras

[Thiéres Rabelo]

Pablo López and Lucas Giolito provided a memorable pitching duel in Chicago this afternoon. It wasn’t until the extra innings that the Twins offense busted the game wide open and avoided a sweep against the White Sox.

Image courtesy of Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Box Score
Starting Pitcher: Pablo López, 7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K (101 pitches, 70 strikes, 69.3%)
Home Runs: Carlos Correa (4), Byron Buxton (8)
Top 3 WPA: Byron Buxton (.378), José Miranda (.327), Jorge López/Emilio Pagán/Brock Stewart (tied with .135)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

Despite coming into this game with a healthy three-game lead over the Cleveland Guardians atop the American League Central, you can say there was a lot at stake for the Twins in this game. Set to go to Cleveland for a three-gamer starting this Friday, Minnesota needed to avoid a sweep against a team currently tied for the third-fewest wins in the majors before facing their main competition for the AL Central crown.

Not only was this game critical for shifting the Twins’ momentum, but it was also vital for their staff ace Pablo López. The Venezuelan star began the season with four stellar starts, culminating in him being offered a contract extension the day after his fourth start. However, since that fourth start, he had back-to-back rough outings, allowing at least five runs in each one of them. The worst part is that each of those starts came against last-place teams.

López delivered two scoreless frames to begin this game, but the White Sox delivered the first punch of the game in the third inning. Seby Zavala drew a leadoff walk against him, and despite retiring the next two batters, López gave up a two-out, two-run home run to Eloy Jiménez, making it 2-0 White Sox. This was Jiménez’s second home run in this series.

Bats struggle against Giolito, but Correa and Buxton tie the game
The offense was mostly a no-show for the first half of this game. After putting two men on in the top of the first, Minnesota’s batters went 0-for-16, with Lucas Giolito retiring 13 consecutive Twins’ batters. (José Miranda reached on a fielding error in the second.) In the fifth inning the Twins got their second hit of the game and consequently got on the board. Carlos Correa swung on an 0-1 pitch for a solo home run to left field that cut the deficit in half. With that home run, the Twins matched a franchise record by homering in 16 consecutive games.

Even though he didn’t get enough run support to be eligible for a win, López finished the start in a brilliant way. After giving up that home run to Jiménez, he went on to retire nine of the next ten batters, delivering four consecutive scoreless innings in dominant fashion.

Reliever Reynaldo López replaced Giolito in the eighth, but things didn’t look much better for the Twins’ offense at first, as Max Kepler and Correa were taken care of on only four pitches. Then, it was time for Byron Buxton to show up. Minnesota’s superstar tied the game with his team-leading eighth home run of the year. He’s now on an eight-game hitting streak.

Bullpen is lights-out, bats come to life in extras
Johan Durán and Jorge López combined to pitch two scoreless after Pablo López departed the game, taking the game to extra innings. Both of them had to get out of jams, as both gave up leadoff walks that resulted in the runner reaching third. In the first extra frame, the Twins offense couldn’t produce the necessary runs, so in the 10th, the White Sox had a golden opportunity to close out the game against Brock Stewart. With two intentional walks, Chicago had the bases loaded with only one out, but Stewart came up with two huge strikeouts to end the threat, the first of which was on a hit-by-pitch.

Emilio Pagán pitched a very solid bottom of the 11th and kept the Twins' chances alive. He now has four consecutive outings without giving up an earned run. With former Twin Alex Colomé taking the mound for the White Sox in the 12th, Minnesota took advantage of a Tim Anderson error, and Miranda pushed designated runner Trevor Larnach across to give the Twins their first lead of the day, 3-2.

Colomé was pulled after getting the first out when Nick Gordon was called on to pinch hit. The offense feasted off his replacement, southpaw Sammy Peralta. With two men on, Gordon lined a deep double to center field, bringing Joey Gallo home for the Twins’ fourth run. Kepler worked a five-pitch walk to load the bases with only one out to Correa, who also drew a walk of his own to bring home another run. Peralta struck out Buxton for the second out, but Jorge Polanco hit a ground ball to center to drive in two more runs, making it 7-2 Minnesota. Jovani Morán gave up a single to Jiménez that drove in a run in the bottom of the 12th, but with a double play and a strikeout, he closed the door.

Postgame interview

What’s Next?
The Twins head for Cleveland, where they start a three-game series against the Guardians on Friday (5/5). Game one is scheduled for 6:10 pm CDT tomorrow, with Bailey Ober (1-0, 1.59 ERA) set to make his third start of the season, while the Guardians turn to rookie righty Peyton Battenfield (0-2, 4.67 ERA).

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

	SUN	MON	TUE	WED	THU	TOT
Pagán	23	0	0	18	20	61
Stewart	13	0	24	0	16	53
López	0	0	15	0	16	31
Jax	0	0	9	15	0	24
Morán	0	0	0	9	15	24
Winder	23	0	0	0	0	23
Durán	7	0	0	0	16	23
Thielbar	0	0	13	0	0	13

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[GNess]

Found a way to win, which is a good thing. Lopez was strong.

The offense is still sputtering - seems Kirilloff might be able to help?

[ashbury]

The bullpen was NOT lights-out. Only Moran in the 12th didn't walk anybody, and a baserunner reached 3rd four out of five innings.  This was a tightwire act, not a shutdown exhibition, and they were extremely fortunate to not get burned even once when the game was for the taking.

[darwin22]

Late getting tuned into the game as "golf weather" here in KC area was too good to stay inside---especially after the last 2 frustrating losses.

My "top 3" hero's of the game:

1.  Brock Stewart:  Pitched his way out of a huge jam in the 10th---striking out the side after starting the inning with runners on 2nd and 3rd with nobody out.  Very impressive!

2.  Nick Gordon:  By far his best 3-game stretch of the season!  His double to the gap extended the lead to 4-2 (should've been 2 RBI if not for Jeffers being the trail runner at 1B).  With a plethora of bats know struggling---nice to see Gordon break out of his season long funk in this series------3 for 7 (2 HRs and todays double) with 3 RBI.

3.  Pagan:  Yes!  The Human Sacrifice, Emilio extended the game to the 12th with a scoreless 11th with 2 Ks.

Pretty frustrating losing this series to the Sox, who have been pretty awful all season.  

Can't be surprised losing 2 of 3 when the offense as a whole did literally next to nothing over 3 games

AB: 106

Hits:  16

AVG:  .151

K's:  38/ almost 13 per game

RISP:  5-27/ .185 avg.

Hoping the new surroundings in CLE will get the bats of Gallo and especially Larnach going.

 

 

[mikelink45]

Pagan versus Colome - what a dream scenario!

[stringer bell]

8 minutes ago, ashbury said:

The bullpen was NOT lights-out. Only Moran in the 12th didn't walk anybody, and a baserunner reached 3rd four out of five innings.  This was a tightwire act, not a shutdown exhibit and they were extremely fortunate to not get burned even once when the game was for the taking.

I'll split the difference Ash. The bullpen was effective. Despite having an ideal situation for Billy Hamilton to steal the game, they kept 'em off the board. Many of the free passes were strategic (four IBB). Pitching out of Manfred jams wasn't easy, but they did it.

[Thiéres Rabelo]

21 minutes ago, ashbury said:

The bullpen was NOT lights-out. Only Moran in the 12th didn't walk anybody, and a baserunner reached 3rd four out of five innings.  This was a tightwire act, not a shutdown exhibition, and they were extremely fortunate to not get burned even once when the game was for the taking.

Five of the eight walks were IBB (a club record). In the end, the bullpen tossed five innings with tons of high-leverage moments, giving up only one hit and three walks while striking out six times.

Edited May 4, 2023 by Thiéres Rabelo

[jkcarew]

In the 12th, Larnach, 1 PA…K, with a run scored.

The once impossible (w/o a WP or PB), is now merely improbable.

 

[Blyleven2011]

Yes we avoided a sweep  but barely ...

Had the umpires ruled that swinging strike a hit batter,  the game could have ended or went to review . ..

The bat's are quiet once again  , 15 strikeouts  , more than half the outs need were strikeouts  ...

Minnesota I think you have a problem ...

Bullpen  worked out of jams , walks , some intentional but it was intense just the Same  ...

Our defense was very good  , turned 2 double plays and the moran double play to Polanco to first was a gem ...

[jkcarew]

30 minutes ago, ashbury said:

The bullpen was NOT lights-out. Only Moran in the 12th didn't walk anybody, and a baserunner reached 3rd four out of five innings.  This was a tightwire act, not a shutdown exhibition, and they were extremely fortunate to not get burned even once when the game was for the taking.

I was thinking about this after yesterday’s game…

The bullpen has been ‘leaky’. Even today…but had some good fortune today. And, compared to previous years, that’s probably baby steps. Not as many complete implosions this year (so far), but lots of leaking.

[2wins87]

Not really a great win.

Without Anderson rushing and flubbing a ground ball as Larnach tried for third, I don't think any of the runs would have come in that inning. Although I'm kind of surprised it took that long for the white Sox defense to give up runs after what they looked like in the first series.

Anyway, good to see the bullpen hold down the game after a week of looking pretty leaky.

Good to see Correa finally contributing on offense pretty much every game.

Good to see Lopez getting back on track after a couple of iffy starts.

And good to see them avoid getting swept out of Chicago.

[PDX Twin]

The negative WPA is as interesting as the positive for this game. There were a lot of hitters who had big chances to contribute, but didn't:
 

Polanco: -0.209
Vazquez: -0.167
Correa: -0.165
Larnach: -0.162.

 

[HarmonK03]

12 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Yes we avoided a sweep  but barely ...

Had the umpires ruled that swinging strike a hit batter,  the game could have ended or went to review . ..

The bat's are quiet once again  , 15 strikeouts  , more than half the outs need were strikeouts  ...

Minnesota I think you have a problem ...

Bullpen  worked out of jams , walks , some intentional but it was intense just the Same  ...

Our defense was very good  , turned 2 double plays and the moran double play to Polanco to first was a gem ...

That was clearly a swing by Alberto, the umpire had no choice but to call it a strike, it doesn't matter if the batter is hit.

[hitterscount]

The K's are almost as frustrating as Kepler's, Gallo's, Miranda's and Correas batting averages. Throw in Taylor, Castro and Gordon, all of them hitting around .200. The BP that is starting to leak... Jax , Winder, Moran are unreliable. Really need Jax to get back on track. This is not the recipe for winning baseball. 

They are wasting some strong starting pitching... Ober and Lopez deserved better than ND's. 

The W was much needed, but they are lucky they got it today.  

[joefish]

We should not give them false hope. But we did. 

[Nine of twelve]

I know it’s difficult to remain optimistic but here’s this: extrapolating the current standings results in 91 wins for our favorite team and  ending the season in first place by 18 games. Keep the faith!

[USAFChief]

What the heck did Miranda do to be 2nd in WPA? Ground into an error??

 

Anywhoo, feels like we stole one. Feels good, too.

[jkcarew]

3 highest OBP among regular players…

Buxton (WAY above career norms), Gallo, Kepler

I don’t want to say Kepler is ‘good’ or a needle-mover necessarily…but I don’t think he’s a problem either.

[weitz41]

1 hour ago, ashbury said:

The bullpen was NOT lights-out. Only Moran in the 12th didn't walk anybody, and a baserunner reached 3rd four out of five innings.  This was a tightwire act, not a shutdown exhibition, and they were extremely fortunate to not get burned even once when the game was for the taking.

 

41 minutes ago, Thiéres Rabelo said:

Five of the eight walks were IBB (a club record). In the end, the bullpen tossed five innings with tons of high-leverage moments, giving up only one hit and three walks while striking out six times.

There was some good luck involved here. The error by Anderson seem to break things open. An extra out in the 12th innings tends to equal a loss. Some of those IBB were on Duran and Lopez.

[jkcarew]

15 minutes ago, hitterscount said:

The K's are almost as frustrating as Kepler's, Gallo's, Miranda's and Correas batting averages.

Don’t think I’d throw Kepler and Gallo in with Correa and Miranda right now. The first objective is to not make outs. And Gallo and Kepler are doing that better than almost everyone else on the team…not that that that is a terribly high bar right now…but still.

History (a lot of history) says Correa will be fine. Miranda is a big worry, IMO.

[hitterscount]

2 minutes ago, jkcarew said:

Don’t think I’d throw Kepler and Gallo in with Correa and Miranda right now. The first objective is to not make outs. And Gallo and Kepler are doing that better than almost everyone else on the team…not that that that is a terribly high bar right now…but still.

History (a lot of history) says Correa will be fine. Miranda is a big worry, IMO.

Not real worried about Correa either, yet. He has had some big AB's with RISP and isn't delivering. Gallo moving closer to .200 is not great, but he is taking some walks. Agree totally on Miranda.  

[jkcarew]

16 minutes ago, hitterscount said:

Not real worried about Correa either, yet. He has had some big AB's with RISP and isn't delivering. Gallo moving closer to .200 is not great, but he is taking some walks. Agree totally on Miranda.  

Gallo’s OBP is 342. His SLG is 619. That makes him, currently, the best offensive player on the team. Those that are going to want Gallo’s BA to be significantly above 200 are going to be disappointed. He is, and always will be, a three true outcome guy. Absolutely, there’s a fine line with his ilk…but SO FAR…there’s no way any of us could have hoped for a better version of Gallo than what we’ve gotten…and yes, I’ll add another SO FAR.

[Blyleven2011]

46 minutes ago, karcherd said:

That was clearly a swing by Alberto, the umpire had no choice but to call it a strike, it doesn't matter if the batter is hit.

I clearly stated it was a swinging strike but with the new set of rules in baseball  who knows exactly what the umpires may call ...

They got it right ....

[h2oface]

It was good to see Baldelli not pull Lopez after 6, and start the 7th with only 88 pitches and behind 2-1, having given up 6 hits, 3 for extra bases (1 homer and 2 doubles) 8 Ks, only 1 walk. He was pitching fine, and handled the 7th fine. Great to see Lopez throw another good game after 2 in which he game up 11 earned in 10 innings (9,90 ERA)

However, Baldelli pulled Ryan after six ahead 1-0, with 87 pitches, 60 for strikes, throwing a 1 hitter (single), 7 Ks 2 walks, the last a 12 pitch walk in the 6th to Anderson, and 18 total pitches in the last inning. His velo was down slightly in the 6th. But still, why? So shakey Jorge Lopez could blow his game up in 8 pitches. Arguably a better game pitched than Pablo Lopez, and Ryan gets pulled with the same # of (1 less) pitches and didn't get the opportunity to pitch the 7th. Or consequently, win the 6th start to start a season, and set a franchise record (I think). He was still in line for it, though, until Jorge Lopez.

Maybe Ryan was tired, and said he was done? Seems he deserved the opportunity if it was Baldelli.

[stringer bell]

It shouldn't come as a surprise that Hanser Alberto swung at a pitch that hit him. He is Astudillo-like without contact skills. It absolutely was a key play in winning the game. 

Stewart pitched well and bailed out Jeffers after he failed to catch/block a low pitch. Pagan got outs and Jorge Lopez had a nice comeback outing.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

I was watching today's game from some of the best seats I have ever had at Guaranteed Rate Field, right behind the Twin's dugout.  The beginning of the game wasn't a thrill a minute, but the extra innings had enough excitement for at least two games with plenty of twists and turns.  I agree with much of what was said in the recap, but I have a few details to add. 

I don't think that Pablo Lopez was really on top of his game today, which was frustrating.  He just didn't seem to have the consistent stuff to slam the door on the hitters, even though he got several strikeouts and did have a string where he retired a bunch in a row.  What was encouraging is that he got the job done while only allowing two runs in seven innings without his dominant stuff.  It makes me very excited to see how effective he could be when he is really in control.  It was a really good performance by a veteran pitcher who knows what he is doing.  I'm extremely glad we extended him.  He's going to be a cornerstone for a long time.

It's hard to know what to think of the Twins' offensive effort.  On one hand, there were a lot of hapless at bats and a lot of very aggressive swinging strikes and strikeouts, which speaks poorly of them.  However, Giolito was dominant and looked a lot more like the pitcher he has been in the past rather than this year's version.  Correa got ahold of one and Buxton (off a different pitcher) as well, but that was all there was until the last inning. 

The relief pitching was mostly pretty impressive.  Say what you want about how many guys were on base, those were mostly intentional walks, the Twins had five (FIVE!!!!) pitchers give up one actual hit and one (fake, Manfred) run.  They were all under serious pressure and responded by getting guys out and stranding the runners.  A runner like Billy Hamilton can really impact a game (unless he has to bat).  I was impressed all the way around, but especially by Stewart and Pagan(!) working their way around the runner on second.

We need a deceptive relief pitcher like Aaron Bummer.  When he came in and struck out the side the Twins' hitters were helpless.  His delivery was such a shock to the system that no one knew what to do.  I know his ERA is currently high, but that different look was really effective.  Also, finding a way to have Colome and Peralta be traded from team to team just ahead of when we play them would be a nice gift as well. 

The White Sox just can't defend.  Aside from the two errors, there were many plays that just should have been made more cleanly than they were.  Thank you.  Keep up the fine work.  The Twins weren't flawless, but they really have some guys who can pick it. 

Sorry for the book report.  Others may see it differently.  Just one guy's observations.  Go Twins!

[DocBauer]

No offense to anyone, all in good fun, I'm not sure which team I hate losing more to, the Yankees or the Dirty Sox.

1] As much as I hate to admit it, the Sox aren't as bad as their early season record indicates. They have some good arms.

2] We can bitch and argue about pitching, but the staff, as a whole, allowed 12 runs in 3 games. That's not bad. And who of us would ever thought, for a moment, that Pagan would have been OK?

3] I LOVE Jeffers in many ways, but he blew it trying to take 3rd base in game 2. He made a huge mistake that might have lead to a winning inning. I appreciate his aggressiveness, but as a catcher he should have recognized the play better.

4] Game 2, bases loaded,  nobody out, and NOBODY could at least hit a ball out of the infield? Despite a couple questionable plays here and there, this was a tight knit series that went back and forth with missed opportunities for both clubs. I'm disappointed as I feel we should have won 2 by just a clutch or two, or even a sacrifice fly that might have made a difference. 

5] DESPITE losing 2 of 3 to the Dirty Sox on the road, and missing out on opportunity, tell me putting them away with a HUGE 12 inning didn't make you  still feel good?

[darwin22]

4 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Yes we avoided a sweep  but barely ...

Had the umpires ruled that swinging strike a hit batter,  the game could have ended or went to review . ..

The bat's are quiet once again  , 15 strikeouts  , more than half the outs need were strikeouts  ...

Minnesota I think you have a problem ...

Bullpen  worked out of jams , walks , some intentional but it was intense just the Same  ...

Our defense was very good  , turned 2 double plays and the moran double play to Polanco to first was a gem ...

Fair point on Moran's performance in 12th, but the DP was greatly aided by Anderson jogging (at best) to 1B.  Maybe his legs were sore from booting Miranda's ground ball in the top of the inning?

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

The Twins had a similar extra-inning game against Detroit last season, when both teams tried really hard to lose but the other team wouldn’t let them. The result today was different. Give them credit for getting fed up and hanging a five spot in the 12th.

[ashbury]

5 hours ago, Thiéres Rabelo said:

Five of the eight walks were IBB (a club record). In the end, the bullpen tossed five innings with tons of high-leverage moments, giving up only one hit and three walks while striking out six times.

Remember, I was merely tapping the brakes on the subheading, "Bullpen is lights-out".

An IBB to begin the 10th inning or later may be sound strategy. The Twins did that only 1 time in the 3 extra innings they played.  The other four IBB remain black marks, in my book.

Three innings in a row, starting in the 8th, the bullpen found itself with a runner on third, and the Twins issued an IBB to try to preserve the tie. Self-inflicted - a couple of leadoff walks and a couple of wild pitches were in the mix there. Without the runner on third, the IBB is unlikely in each case.

Pagan's 11th inning was the closest to a clean inning, but Rocco apparently didn't think he was lights-out and had him walk Benintendi (again!) with two outs, to face the weaker bat in Hamilton, even (as the visiting team) knowing that if it worked (it did!) then Hamilton would be guaranteed to start on second base the next inning and we'd face the top of the lineup instead of getting a free out with Hamilton coming up to bat.  I'm sure Rocco was thinking an inning ahead, and still felt this was the best move with Pagan.  There was no way at the time to know the Twins would explode for 5 runs and make Hamilton irrelevant.

The bullpen was in no way lights-out this game.

Indeed, three innings in a row, the bullpen did well to not be walked-off (in good measure due to the Twins' quiet bats until the 12th).

And that's all I'm saying.  So kudos to those pitchers for keeping their cool and battling their tails off.  Ultimately, they were good enough.