Twins 6, Angels 2: Bullpen Bounces Back but Buxton Leaves Game

[Hans Birkeland]

The Twins hit a lefty, the bullpen holds serve, but Buxton leaves the game early. 

Image courtesy of © Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports

Box Score
Starting Pitcher: Louis Varland: 5 IP 6 H 2 ER 1 BB 4 SO (92 P, 62 Strikes, 65.2%)
Home Runs: Gallo (11),
Top 3 WPA: Jovani Moran (0.226), Kyle Farmer (0.119), Trevor Larnach (0.10)
Win Probability Chart (Via Fangraphs):

Buxton Uses Speed, Then Leaves Game
Byron Buxton was all over the bases in the early innings, going first to third by way of deking the outfielder on two separate occasions, pretending to slow down as he approached second base before turning on the jets and reaching third easily. Both times, as well as after beating out a double play, Buxton got up slowly while grimacing. This has been a common occurrence this year, although Buxton has made numerous game changing plays with his speed despite the pain. Today may have been a bridge too far, as he was removed for a pinch hitter in the sixth, with the initial diagnosis being “leg tightness.” The Buxton-playing-center-field train retreats deeper back into the station.

Varland Holds it Together, Continues Run of Success
Coming off of two excellent outings against the Padres and Cubs, Louie Varland was solid for the most part. He got off to an auspicious start, with both his pitchcomm and backup pitchcomm devices malfunctioning and home plate umpire Roberto Ortiz gesticulating like he was just told his plane was overbooked. Varland kept his composure and even struck out Shohei Ohtani looking to end the first, although the pitch was a fastball right where Ohtani likes it.

Varland settled in and continued to dot the edges of the strike zone with his fastball while working in some decent cutters. A misplaced slider and cutter to the middle of the Angel’s order in the fourth led to an Angels run, and a fat fastball in the sixth allowed Ohtani to get extended and make the game 4-2 with a long home run to right center. 

 

Twins Hit a Lefty?
The Twins have struggled against left-handed starters all year, and were thoroughly deconstructed by lefty Reid Detmers on Friday. On Saturday, the Twins faced a more accomplished lefty in Patrick Sandoval, who finished with a sub 3.00 ERA in 2022 and is off to a good start this year. Armed with an effective changeup and slider, Sandoval struggled to spot his fastball in the first, allowing the Twins to work deep counts, and for Kyle Garlick and Farmer to contribute RBI singles. Sandoval settled in after that, but Twins batters still worked him hard and he was done after striking out Garlick with two outs in the fifth.

Bullpen Pitches Four Scoreless
Starting with Jovani Moran’s great effort cleaning up Varland’s mess in the sixth, Jorge Lopez, Brock Stewart, and Jhoan Duran made quick work of the powerful Angels lineup, looking dominant and delivering a relatively stress-free win after struggling as a unit for the first four games of the current west coast road trip.

Rocco Biffs His Challenge
There was a curious play in the first inning, when, after Garlick’s single made the game 2-0,

Willi Castro was asked to sacrifice and did so successfully, bringing in Farmer for the third run of the inning. Castro hustled down the line and was close enough to being safe that Rocco Baldelli decided to challenge the call. The replays were pretty inconclusive so the decision was potentially damaging.

Jared Walsh Returns, Doesn’t Kill Twins
Wisconsin native Jared Walsh, an All-Star in 2021, made his return to the Angels' active roster after recovering from a disturbing neurological disorder in which he lost depth perception, experienced intense tremors, and was unable to sleep with any regularity. He also underwent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, a difficult condition to come back from in its own right, during his recovery. He went 0-4 and popped out a bunt attempt, but it is good to see him back.

 

What’s Next: Pablo López (2-2, 4.00 ERA) will try to deliver the Twins a road series win opposing wunderkind Shohei Ohtani (5-1, 3.23 ERA). López has been inconsistent since signing his extension, logging a 6.11 ERA in five starts. Ohtano has been human on the mound lately, giving up five runs to the Orioles in his most recent start.

Postgame Interviews:

Bullpen Usage Chart

 

 

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[Doctor Gast]

Farmer's courage has quietly becoming a leader on the Twins.

[Karbo]

Someone needs to get across to the people that do the video for the club not to challenge early unless its an obvious missed call. This time didn't hurt but they have a terrible record on reviews.

[CRF]

Buxton in CF? Not gonna happen. I sure hope he's fine and nothing serious happened with his knee, but I believe when he comes back, he's the DH for the duration. Even though he didn't get hurt playing the outfield, they won't take a chance on putting him out there. That's just the way it's gonna be. 

[mikelink45]

Can someone explain to me why Sands is in the BP if we are never going to use him?  I keep looking at his line and seeing 0 day after day.  If we cannot use him bring up a different arm.

Varland keeps us in the game, I am pleased for him.  Never going to get above the #5 rotation spot, but he does well where he is.  Now if Lopez can step up again it would be good, our rotation continues to look good if Pablo pitches well. 

All of us sag a bit as we watch Buxton in distress at 3rd.  So glad we got Taylor, but hope Buxton is not down. 

[rv78]

Buxton is hurt? And it didn't happen in CF? Who would have seen that coming?

[umterp23]

Buxton CF Train retreating back into the station.  It never left the station to begin with. 

[stringer bell]

54 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

Can someone explain to me why Sands is in the BP if we are never going to use him?  I keep looking at his line and seeing 0 day after day.  If we cannot use him bring up a different arm. 

As I understand it, Sands is the "long man" out of the bullpen. If a starter leaves early due to injury or ineffectiveness, he would be expected to go multiple innings, probably at least 3 and maybe as many as 5. In their brief stays on the roster, Simeon Woods Richardson and Brent Headrick were in the same role. The work for these guys has truly been low leverage and is the one slot in the bullpen where all of the work is expected to be low leverage. The Twins don't want to waste service time and development on a prospect, if they can help it. My theory is that with the injuries to Maeda and Mahle, Headrick is now considered too likely a spot starter to be used in this role. Good for Sands, he get major league service time and if he's effective when used, he might be considered for some high leverage innings

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Crossing my fingers for Buck.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

1 minute ago, stringer bell said:

As I understand it, Sands is the "long man" out of the bullpen. If a starter leaves early due to injury or ineffectiveness, he would be expected to go multiple innings, probably at least 3 and maybe as many as 5. In their brief stays on the roster, Simeon Woods Richardson and Brent Headrick were in the same role. The work for these guys has truly been low leverage and is the one slot in the bullpen where all of the work is expected to be low leverage. The Twins don't want to waste service time and development on a prospect, if they can help it. My theory is that with the injuries to Maeda and Mahle, Headrick is now considered too likely a spot starter to be used in this role. Good for Sands, he get major league service time and if he's effective when used, he might be considered for some high leverage innings

Please Cole, no more walks.

[chpettit19]

Correa's ankle and how it holds up for 6 years was the concern this offseason. At this point the far bigger concern is Buxton's knees and if he can make it to the end of his contract as even a DH. If he can't make through 2 months as a DH only at this point without having his knees bark at him its hard to imagine he's got 6 years left in him.

[Otaknam]

I cringe any time BUXTON runs hard or slides, expecting that he will be out for six weeks or the whole year. Has any player ever been more fragile? Bubble wrap him!

[Squirrel]

49 minutes ago, rv78 said:

Buxton is hurt? And it didn't happen in CF? Who would have seen that coming?

Most of his injuries didn’t happen while playing in the field

[Whitey333]

Buxton hurt?   I don't believe it.  Seems like a rerun of an old TV show.

[jimbo92107]

Good to see Jorge Lopez out there competing and having a good time. Clearly he was enjoying himself when he got Trout and Ohtani to end his inning. That was some good pitching. 

[stringer bell]

2 minutes ago, jimbo92107 said:

Good to see Jorge Lopez out there competing and having a good time. Clearly he was enjoying himself when he got Trout and Ohtani to end his inning. That was some good pitching. 

He wasn't having a good time when the home plate ump missed strike 3 on the lead off hitter of the inning and two pitches later had a double. That was the worst missed strike I've seen this year.

[Tibs]

23 minutes ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

I sure wish Buck would be more conservative on the base paths.  We need his bat for many games much more than extending one base and taking a chance of injury.  I know he likes to be aggressive but he has to think long term for the club and his career.

Disagree.

I want Buck to stay healthy as much as or more than anyone. He is easily the most exciting player on the team.

He's one of the best defensive players in baseball. That goes for any position, not just CF. Buck has also been clocked as the fastest player in baseball in previous years and I'd have to believe he's still up there in that category.

He's no longer being allowed to play CF and now we're asking him to not run the bases? I mean what's the point? Again, I want him to be healthy as much as anyone. I don't know what the short or long term answer is. However, the answer simply cannot be not allowing him to play baseball.

[stringer bell]

Willi Castro is having a nice road trip. He's played all over the place been solid and hit a little bit. Last night, he got a squeeze bunt down and hammered two balls, one a line out and the other a double. With Gordon out and Taylor seeming to be wearing down, he may get more time in center field. He might just be all right out there.

[Franchise Adams]

I was just thinking last night that it was good to see the Twins benefit from Buxton's speed, if not his defense. But then Icarus flew too close to the sun.

It's a bummer for sure, but I don't think anyone expected Buxton to go through a year without some injury. That's the only reason we got him extended at all.

[wabene]

2 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Can someone explain to me why Sands is in the BP if we are never going to use him?  I keep looking at his line and seeing 0 day after day.  If we cannot use him bring up a different arm.

Varland keeps us in the game, I am pleased for him.  Never going to get above the #5 rotation spot, but he does well where he is.  Now if Lopez can step up again it would be good, our rotation continues to look good if Pablo pitches well. 

All of us sag a bit as we watch Buxton in distress at 3rd.  So glad we got Taylor, but hope Buxton is not down. 

I think you are selling this young man short. He's had 10 starts in the bigs. 5 good starts last year then he comes in this year having improved over the off-season. He easily has middle rotation upside. The guy is a worker and I wouldn't be surprised with even more from him. If this is your 5th starter, you truly do have a top flight rotation. 

[stringer bell]

7 minutes ago, wabene said:

I think you are selling this young man short. He's had 10 starts in the bigs. 5 good starts last year then he comes in this year having improved over the off-season. He easily has middle rotation upside. The guy is a worker and I wouldn't be surprised with even more from him. If this is your 5th starter, you truly do have a top flight rotation. 

The raw numbers (ERA, WHIP) don't look much beyond #5 starter, but he does get a lot of swings and misses and has had a decent number of 1-2-3 innings. 

[mikelink45]

1 hour ago, stringer bell said:

As I understand it, Sands is the "long man" out of the bullpen. If a starter leaves early due to injury or ineffectiveness, he would be expected to go multiple innings, probably at least 3 and maybe as many as 5. In their brief stays on the roster, Simeon Woods Richardson and Brent Headrick were in the same role. The work for these guys has truly been low leverage and is the one slot in the bullpen where all of the work is expected to be low leverage. The Twins don't want to waste service time and development on a prospect, if they can help it. My theory is that with the injuries to Maeda and Mahle, Headrick is now considered too likely a spot starter to be used in this role. Good for Sands, he get major league service time and if he's effective when used, he might be considered for some high leverage innings

I agree with what you say, but how sharp can he be if he goes more than a week without use?

[stringer bell]

25 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Willi Castro is having a nice road trip. He's played all over the place been solid and hit a little bit. Last night, he got a squeeze bunt down and hammered two balls, one a line out and the other a double. With Gordon out and Taylor seeming to be wearing down, he may get more time in center field. He might just be all right out there.

Also wanted to commend Farmer. Solid at third base and right now he's hitting very well. He needs to stay in the lineup at least until his hot streak fades. 

[mikelink45]

15 minutes ago, wabene said:

I think you are selling this young man short. He's had 10 starts in the bigs. 5 good starts last year then he comes in this year having improved over the off-season. He easily has middle rotation upside. The guy is a worker and I wouldn't be surprised with even more from him. If this is your 5th starter, you truly do have a top flight rotation. 

I agree that Varland would be an outstanding fifth starter, but he does not have the stuff to be a three or better. 

[chinmusic]

1 hour ago, Otaknam said:

Has any player ever been more fragile? Bubble wrap him!

Eric Davis comes to mind as equally fragile. Another incredible talent.

 

[chinmusic]

52 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

That was the worst missed strike I've seen this year.

This year or any other year. It was right down the middle! Unbelievable!

[Blyleven2011]

Great win with lots of hits and walks , lots of runners on the bases still hate seeing runners stranded at third with less than 2 outs ...

Hopefully Buxtons injury is minor as I'm sure he will rest today against ohtani  ...

Worried that Rocco  used Lopez  , Stewart and Duran last night and today in a close game he will use all three again and they might not be as sharp in a 1 run lead with more pressure  ...

We need a series win ...

[jkcarew]

1 hour ago, chinmusic said:

Eric Davis comes to mind as equally fragile. Another incredible talent.

 

Davis played over 120 games in a season 8 times in his career, including 5 consecutive years ages 24-28…all while playing the OF, primarily CF. He was Lou Gehrig compared to Buxton, who did this once, and never was really even close other than that…apparently ever.

[jkcarew]

1 hour ago, Tibs said:

Disagree.

I want Buck to stay healthy as much as or more than anyone. He is easily the most exciting player on the team.

He's one of the best defensive players in baseball. That goes for any position, not just CF. Buck has also been clocked as the fastest player in baseball in previous years and I'd have to believe he's still up there in that category.

He's no longer being allowed to play CF and now we're asking him to not run the bases? I mean what's the point? Again, I want him to be healthy as much as anyone. I don't know what the short or long term answer is. However, the answer simply cannot be not allowing him to play baseball.

This.

The problem with Buxton this year is that the OBP is way too high, taking too many walks. Creates unnecessary risks on the base paths.

When we got the discount signing Buxton, it wasn’t a discount.

[Schmoeman5]

2 hours ago, rv78 said:

Buxton is hurt? And it didn't happen in CF? Who would have seen that coming?

I've said since March that Buxton will not play CF this year. And it's not about the possibility of him being injured while playing CF. It's the additional wear and tear on his body. Every time he's on the bases it's 100% effort when running. And his slides are brutal. It's the same reason they haven't had him attempting to steal bases. How many has he attempted? He is fragile and everyone knows it. You and I may not agree with the the way the Twins play him as solely DH, but they're trying to maximize his AB's and that will limit him solely to hitting.