Twins 7, Guardians 6: Twins Lose (Players), but Win in Walk-off Fashion

[Sherry Cerny]

The Twins and Guardians met for the second series this season, and amid all the flying cotton in the air, the two teams began the four-day series. Both teams are coming off series wins and roller coaster months of May and while this series doesn’t determine the season, it does give a contentious feel to the start of June. The Twins lost several key players during the game, but Willi Castro came up clutch and gave the Twins their fourth walk-off win and his first career walk. What a way to start the series off with a bang!

Image courtesy of Lowres USA Today 2023

Box Score
SP: Jorge Lopez:  5.2 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 1 BB, 5 K (88 pitches, 67 strikes (76%)
Home Runs: Royce Lewis (2), Michael A. Taylor (6)
Top 3 WPA: Royce Lewis (.257), Jorge Polanco (.146), Donovan Solano (.144)

Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

Everything happens in three's
Byron Buxton was a topic of the game. From the booth, Eric Perkins touched a little bit Buxton not in center-field and those have also been echoed by some Twins fans on Twitter.  Buxton, while improving, is not a life-long designated hitter and seems to hit better, and is more alive when he is in the outfield. So when will Buxton get back to center field? Probably not anytime soon. He has played in 90% of the games to start this season. However, he is missed in center field.

All this was spoken about before he was drilled in the ribs by a Tanner Bibee fastball. He remained in the game and reached third base, but when his spot came up again, Donovan Solano batted. 

Max Kepler continues to work on bringing up his batting average, and it seems to help for him to be playing against the Guardians. Kepler could be in a slump, and stepping up to bat against the Guardians somehow energizes him and brings out the best baseball in him. In his first at-bat, Kepler singled, but was ultimately stranded. Later, he ripped a ball into right field scoring Kirilloff, tying the game. But, ultimately was replaced by Willi Castro, leaving the game with a migraine. An issue he hasn't really battled before, or at least has been mentioned. Either way, his presence tonight before leaving was vital to the outcome of the game. 

Carlos Correa made ball contact tonight, but left the game with re-aggravated plantar fasciitis. He was replaced by Kyle Farmer, who had five at-bats but wasn't able to produce anything.

Plenty of Offense to go around
Pablo Lopez started out strong in his 12th start with the Twins, his sixth start at Target Field. With the exception of the one run in the second inning, Lopez was able to control the game through five innings. The Twins offense answered in the fourth getting a run of their own to tie up the game and then continued to get runs in the fifth inning.

One of the bright spots of the night was Michael A. Taylor's home run into left center field pulling the Twins ahead 2-1. Taylor doesn't have the best offensive numbers, but he continues to come in clutch. Christian Vasquez got a double with only one out on the inning and the infield came in for Alex Kirilloff, thinking they would be able to stop him. It did the Guardians no good, Kirilloff hit a high line drive above the head of second baseman Andres Gimenez to score Vasquez. 

The Twins were up 3-1, but that all changed with a walk from Myles Straw. Lopez was really struggling to get out of the inning, his command waivered and the Guardians took advantage. They scored five runs in the inning to take a 6-3 with two outs. Lopez was replaced by Emilio Pagan to finish out the inning with no additional damage. 

Pagan added a smooth seventh inning, with a little assistance from Joey Gallo who robbed Steven Kwan of a base hit diving after the ball in superman fashion for the first out of the inning and then catching a fly ball from Ramirez. The eighth inning was touch-and-go for Pagan and the Twins defense, the Guardians certainly threatened by putting two guys on, but they were left stranded. 

The Twins battled back in the eighth inning with another single from Willi Castro (replaced Kepler) giving way to Donovan Solano (replaced Buxton) to double and score Castro to get the game within two runs. With Solano on base and an 0-for-3 count on the night, Royce Lewis stepped up to the plate and on a 1-1 count, timed a perfect swing hitting a 421 foot homerun to tie up the game.

Griffin Jax held the Guardians to six runs, and Vasquez and the Twins brought the funk and the noise in the ninth inning. Not in the mood for extra innings, the Twins decided to clean up in the ninth inning. Jorge Polanco had a night like Lewis, came up to the plate with 0-for-4 count and ripped a ball into right field down the first base line putting the Twins in a position to generate runs.

With no outs, the Guardians who had seen enough of Kirilloff and his bat for the night, walked him to load the bases in hopes of a double play. But Castro ruined their plans. On a change-up, Castro hit a sac fly deep into center field, sending Jeffers (pinch runner for Vasquez) home to walk-off the Guardians. The first walk off win for Castro and the first win of the series for the Twins. 

What’s Next? 
The Twins will spend the weekend in a match with the Guardians before taking on the other first place team, Tampa Bay Rays starting Tuesday. 

Friday 7:10 pm: RHP Bailey Ober (3-2, 2.68 ERA) vs. RHP Aaron Civale (1-1, 2.84ERA)
Saturday 6:15 pm: RHP Sonny Gray (4-0, 1.94 ERA) vs. LHP L.T. Allen (2-2, 2.72 ERA)
Sunday 2:10 pm: RHP Joe Ryan (7-2, 2.77 ERA) vs. TBD (not posted as of 6/1/23)

Postgame Interviews

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

 

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[GNess]

Royce Lewis is a delight.

[SwainZag]

This feels like what a Cleveland did to the Twins over and over again last year.   Did Pagan exorcize some demons tonight?  Got out of a huge inherited jam and looked in control, great to see.  It's disheartening to see the stars struggle, but AK and Royce showing us glimpses of a bright future. 

[UK Twin]

Nice to do to Cleveland what they did to us so many times last season. Nice win. Hopefully Buck is just bruised from where the pitch hit him.

[wabene]

Lopez got dinked and dunked tonight, but it would be nice to see him go on a run.

AK and Lewis are a nice lil pre-deadline addition. 

[David HK]

Bux has looked so completely lost at the plate lately, so at least he made contact... ta dum, tss!

But seriously folks, Twins are near the top of the majors in getting hit this year, and one of our stars got drilled in the ribs, maybe putting him out for a while.  I have no idea why Arias leading off the next inning wasn't wearing the very first pitch in his a**.  Come on, pitchers, stick up for your boys! 😠

[Blyleven2011]

A winning streak of three ...

More hits than strikeouts ...

Lewis ties it with a 2 run bomb to center ....

Couldn't ask for anything more but we got it with a walk off win 

 

[UK Twin]

I know Pagan isn't exactly well liked but he's had more good outings than bad this year. It's just the bad one's have been horrendously bad. But he did a good job last night and saved at least one more arm by going 2+ innings. Nice clean inning for Jax as well. 

[Doctor Wu]

Lopez had another less than stellar start, but at least he made it through the first inning this time without giving up any runs. He looked good through the first five and then it all came apart in the sixth. He seems like a very intelligent pitcher, so I hope he regains his mojo very soon. 

[Doctor Wu]

This Royce Lewis kid looks like a keeper!

[Nashvilletwin]

Really nice win.  Great to see teammates picking each other up. Nice little win streak going - now is the time to send the Guardians a clear message about their chances in the division.

Possibly the hottest hitter in the organization gets a call up if BB needs a few days off.

[Peter]

My nerves were fried after this win!!! I thought twins were done after being down 6-3 but they kept it together!!! Huge division statement win!!!

[bighat]

14 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Nice little win streak going

2 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

A winning streak of three ...

Relax everyone, the Twins have just won 2 games in a row. 

They have won 3 of 4, which is something. 

Discouraging to see Bux get hit like that. His season has to be considered a major disappointment thusfar. Can you imagine the 1984 St. Louis DH'ing Ozzie Smith (you know what I mean) or the Cleveland Guardians of the '90s DH'ing Omar Vizquel? The Twins won't let the best defensive player on the team - by far - play defense! I could see maybe DH'ing him in April, but it's June and the guy hasn't played CF yet.

Buxton is a streaky hitter who can win games with his glove when his bat is cold. He's also admitted that playing well in the field helps his mental approach at the plate. The decision to turn Byron into a full time DH may just be the most puzzling decision in what's turned out to be a head-scratching career. 

[Nine of twelve]

4 hours ago, SwainZag said:

AK and Royce showing us glimpses of a bright future. 

The future is now.

[Riverbrian]

 

There's a United flight leaving Buffalo at 10:50a that arrives at MSP around 2:16p with an hour layover at O'Hare. 

Flight is listed at $246.   

Wallner should be on that plane. I'll pay it.  

It honestly doesn't matter to me who they D.L or if they even need to be placed on the D.L. The front office has 3 to pick from. 

Great comeback by our Twins. Cleveland did that to us last year and it ended up being their year. Maybe this year can be the Twins. 

Back to Wallner. He's still as hot as hot can be. Adding a hot hitter to Polanco?, Lewis, Kirilloff, Castro, Solano and Jeffers just might cause a problem for Cleveland, 

Yes... I listed Castro, Solano and Jeffers.

Let's recognize who brought us back last night and who on the roster has been actually hitting the ball like they belong in the majors. 

D.L. someone and bring Wallner up. 

 

[Squirrel]

3 hours ago, David HK said:

Bux has looked so completely lost at the plate lately, so at least he made contact... ta dum, tss!

But seriously folks, Twins are near the top of the majors in getting hit this year, and one of our stars got drilled in the ribs, maybe putting him out for a while.  I have no idea why Arias leading off the next inning wasn't wearing the very first pitch in his a**.  Come on, pitchers, stick up for your boys! 😠

I’m sorry, but intentionally throwing at and hitting someone is just plain stupid. At the speed pitchers throw these days, injury isn’t the only concern. 

[Squirrel]

8 hours ago, Sherry Cerny said:

Eric Perkins

Did Glen change his name or was there someone else in the booth named Eric?

[mikelink45]

Wonderful to win in a game like this. Both pitchers s named Lopez have had it long bad streaks. We need Pablo especially to get out of this funk. Time to stop celebrating the contract and get back to work. And I agree with everybody who wants to bring back Wallner. 

[wabene]

24 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

Did Glen change his name or was there someone else in the booth named Eric?

If it's not going to be Glen, I would prefer Marlon Perkins on the booth. Imagine the color provided. 

[Squirrel]

19 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

Time to stop celebrating the contract and get back to work.

I agree with the concerns about Lopez, but this implication is off, to me. Do you really think he’s not working and just sluffing off because he signed a new contract? It’s a nice contract, and I’m not sure what’s happening with him, but doubtful he’s just off somewhere enjoying it and not working hard. I hope he can get back to how he started the season.

[jmlease1]

Good job by the offense in getting us back in the game and then winning it late. Royce Lewis sure does seem to have that igniter in his skill set (he also made some very nice plays at 3B and looks pretty solid there)

Tough night for the home plate umpire last night, but fortunately it didn't impact the outcome. But it's increasingly frustrating to see umpires not have a consistent (and correct) strike zone. Correa got rung up on a pitch that sure looked outside, and then the ump loses track of the count against Lewis when he struck him out on a ball that definitely looked low. Considering the Twins were in a position to push some more runs across the plate when the ump took the bat out of our players hand again the "I'm bad enough at my job that I can't keep track of the count" was a little maddening.

P.Lopez was rolling along pretty well before imploding in the 6th. A little disappointing, because it sure looked like he was going to cruise through 6 or 7 innings, but the bullpen did a nice job picking him up. It's still hard to trust Pagan, but he did a very nice job holding Cleveland down for a couple of innings and then Jax finished it off. Feels good to only use 3 pitchers last night in a game that ended 7-6 while getting deeper into Cleveland's pen.

[Riverbrian]

1 minute ago, wabene said:

If it's not going to be Glen, I would prefer Marlon Perkins on the booth. Imagine the color provided. 

Marlin Perkins doing Color:

This is the American third baseman in it's natural habitat. Third basemen are fiercely territorial as they tend to hunt and defend small tracts of land that they claim for themselves.  This guy here with the number 23 clearly visible on his back, is powerful, fast and capable of amazing feats of athleticism as he waits for his prey to come flying through at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour.

Let's watch what he does here. 

That's impressive. He took Jim Fowler down with such ease and has now eaten him. I will notify Jim's family but WOW... This is an impressive specimen.    

[wabene]

4 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Marlin Perkins doing Color:

This is the American third baseman in it's natural habitat. Third basemen are fiercely territorial as they tend to hunt and defend small tracts of land that they claim for themselves.  This guy here with the number 23 clearly visible on his back, is powerful, fast and capable of amazing feats of athleticism as he waits for his prey to come flying through at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour.

Let's watch what he does here. 

That's impressive. He took Jim Fowler down with such ease and has now eaten him. I will notify Jim's family but WOW... This is an impressive specimen.    

Better than I imagined Brian, hilarious! 

[stringer bell]

Incredible team victory last night. I agree with Brian that someone should go on the IL and Wallner should be back in the lineup. 

[jorgenswest]

2 hours ago, UK Twin said:

I know Pagan isn't exactly well liked but he's had more good outings than bad this year. It's just the bad one's have been horrendously bad. But he did a good job last night and saved at least one more arm by going 2+ innings. Nice clean inning for Jax as well. 

He did last year also. His clean outing rate isn’t bad. His crooked number rate is troubling. That probably won’t change. Down 6-3 mid game is a good spot for him. Giving up 2 or 3 isn’t much different than giving up 1. He has a good chance to keep it 6-3. He probably isn’t the guy you want pitching with a 6-3 lead.

[wabene]

I'm a little surprised ESPN has us this heavily favored in this matchup. It is the same margine the Astros had over us when Louie pitched in front of that surprisingly successful lineup

[Major League Ready]

6 minutes ago, jorgenswest said:

He did last year also. His clean outing rate isn’t bad. His crooked number rate is troubling. That probably won’t change. Down 6-3 mid game is a good spot for him. Giving up 2 or 3 isn’t much different than giving up 1. He has a good chance to keep it 6-3. He probably isn’t the guy you want pitching with a 6-3 lead.

He has appeared in 21 games this year.  He gave up 1 run in one game, 3 runs once, and 6 runs once.  He walked two and gave up a 3 run homer in the game with 3 runs.  No runs in the other 18 appearances.   It's not too troubling if Pagan is your 7th or 8th guy out of the BP which he will be with Maeda and Thielbar back.

[Dman]

Maybe I shouldn't call myself a fan as I gave up after they were down 6 to 3.  So many teams have shut this team down late that comebacks especially three run comebacks seem very unlikely.  I guess I will have to catch the highlights.  

Somehow the little guys got it done.  The guys without the superstar salaries recently have been far more consistent and meaningful than than the players making the big money. Solano was huge in that game and Castro keeps proving me wrong about the hitter he is.  All pitchers seem to fear Kirilloff right now but he is taking the walks they are giving him instead of flailing outside the zone and Lewis has been nothing but clutch in his start back with the team.  

I hope the bats keep getting better all the way around and the pitching stay top notch. Still three big games to play.

 

[David Maro]

Castro until farther notice!! Knew what he needed to do and did it.

[Twodogs]

6 hours ago, SwainZag said:

This feels like what a Cleveland did to the Twins over and over again last year.   Did Pagan exorcize some demons tonight?  Got out of a huge inherited jam and looked in control, great to see.  It's disheartening to see the stars struggle, but AK and Royce showing us glimpses of a bright future. 

Hopefully it's just a coincidence, but it seems like Pagan pitches better when the Twins are behind.