Braves 6, Twins 2: The Braves Go Bomba Squad on Joe Ryan

[Steven Trefz]

Joe Ryan entered this contest having just tossed the best complete game by a Twins starting pitcher in nearly a decade. He didn't make it to the fourth inning. The Braves are who we thought they were, and the Twins creeped under the .500 mark yet again. Here's how it all went down.

Image courtesy of © Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Box Score
SP: Joe Ryan: 3 IP, 9 H, 6 ER, 0 BB, 5 K ( 82 pitches, 57 for strikes, 82 %)
Home Runs: None
Bottom 3 WPA: Ryan (-.400), Carlos Correa (-.132), Max Kepler (-.115)

Win Probability Chart (Via Fangraphs):

Joe Ryan came into tonight's game off of a complete game shutout versus the Tigers and 14 shutout innings overall. The Twins started off the top of the first inning with some base running and putting the ball in play. Byron Buxton ultimately collected the game's first RBI with a chopper to short, plating Carlos Correa for a 1-0 lead. Mathematically, Twins fans hoped that was all the offense needed tonight.

The Braves quickly erased that thought on the first pitch. Ronald Acuna Jr. continued his red-hot tear towards an MVP award by taking Ryan's opening fastball deep for a game-tying lead-off home run. Then Ozzie Albies tripled deep to right, and Austin Riley hit a two-run home run. Just for good measure, Sean Murphy hit a home run. Four fastballs, four runs, and 4-1 Braves after the first inning.

The Twins Threaten in the Second, but the Braves Deliver
In the top of the second, Joey Gallo went opposite field for a single, and thanks to some keystone cops throwing action started by Eddie Rosario, Gallo ended up at third base. He might have attempted to score, but with only one out, there wasn't a need to run themselves out of the threat. Except for the fact that this is the Twins' offense, Christian Vazquez promptly struck out on a few sinkers out of the zone, and Michael A. Taylor hit a weak pop-up to leave a still-exhausted Gallo standing on third base.

The Braves, however, found that they continued to enjoy Mr. Ryan's offerings on the evening. He tried breaking balls and change-ups this time, but the result was the same. Michael Harris II...gone. Ronald Acuna Jr...gone again. 6-1 Braves.

The Twins Need Someone to Step Up and Be Drano

The Twins clogged the bases in each of the first four innings. Bryce Elder issued four walks and handled several three-ball counts, while the Braves defense committed four errors in the opening frames. And yet, the Twins only managed to plate two runs. The strikeout continued to doom their offense, while, as Nick Nelson pointed out, their approach at the plate kept leaving the advantage to the pitcher.

The sixth and seventh innings involved offensive action again for the Twins, but double plays by Christian Vazquez and Correa unclogged the bases the wrong way, and the score remained 6-2 as the game headed into the eighth inning.

The Braves Appear to Be a Far Superior Team
On the other hand, the Braves appear to have no holes in the lineup. Errors existed aplenty, but so did run-saving web gems for the Atlanta defense. The Braves bullpen scattered four hits and a walk over the final three frames. They currently are a well-oiled machine, and the Twins got steamrolled by it again.

A fan who didn't watch either of the first two games might think that the Twins aren't that far away from the Braves, but these games weren't close. The players' mannerisms starkly contrasted, with the Braves appearing every bit the Alpha dog in the fight. Could the Twins steal a day game Wednesday? Perhaps, but this series exposes the gap between the elite and the division leaders with sub-.500 records.

What’s Next
Kenta Maeda (1-4, 6.86 ERA) looks to build off his last start, where he went five innings without giving up a run against the Tigers. As of 9pm CDT Tuesday, the Braves still need to reveal their starting pitcher plan for the series finale. The Twins "on the road" week marches on, .and the Twins are still searching for any redemptive reason for making the trip to Atlanta. First pitch is an early one, scheduled for 11:20pm CDT.

Postgame Interviews

Bullpen Usage Chart

	THU	FRI	SAT	SUN	MON	MON	TOT
Headrick	0	0	0	6	0	35	41
Pagán	0	0	30	0	8	0	38
Durán	0	19	0	15	0	0	34
Ortega	0	0	0	0	0	32	32
Jax	0	12	0	17	0	0	29
Balazovic	0	0	6	18	0	0	24
Winder	0	0	0	0	19	0	19
Morán	0	16	0	0	0	0	16

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[Aggies7]

Organizational reset please. The sooner the better. This ain’t it

[Galen]

Typical offensive night for the Twins...we don't have a single hitter that would crack the Braves lineup.  Too bad we can't learn from watching good hitters hit.

[Nashvilletwin]

Missed the game, just saw the box score and scoring summary. I’m wondering if Ryan was somehow tipping his pitches - five dingers and a triple in two innings, really? 
 

Also, is Correa the new king of the rally killing double play? He’s getting very adept at it.

[mnfireman]

5 one-hit innings from the BP, only 2 relievers used, really picked up a bad start and kept the team in the game. Too bad the bats didn't help them out.

Julien, Lewis and Kirilloff were a combined 3-8 with 3 BB's and 1 HBP, good to see this out of the younger players. 

Even Gallo and Taylor were 3-6 with a BB.

Correa, Buxton and Kepler however were 1-13 with 2 GIDPs.

Ryan serving up 5 HR's in the first 2 innings did not help either.

This team can't get out of its own way and it generally starts with the "veteran leadership"

[mikelink45]

Did I miss something? Is this the playoffs? Because we sure are playing the way we usually do against good teams in the postseason. 

[D.C Twins]

Correa batting 2nd or 3rd nightly is tone deaf and cringe-worthy. 

I know I've said it before, but I need to repeat it for my own sanity tonight :)

[Peter]

Unless Kenta pitched great tomorrow-sweep and no longer in first place will happen-im beyond pissed. Just a gut punch/kick to the head. We need to figure this out otherwise-Cleveland/Detroit/Chicago will pass us. 🤮😡💩🤬😢

[Jocko87]

Ummm, good work Ortega and Headrick.

[hitterscount]

Could be 3-4 games under.500 before the next home series and no longer in first place in the weakest division in baseball. And we still don’t make any changes…. at what point does the brain trust recognize this isn’t working? Seriously, I look at this lineup and think we should have a good team… yet halfway through the season we are just a lost group of losers with zero leadership. Really pathetic considering we have a decent starting rotation and top line closer.  Close to calling it over…

[jkcarew]

This game is a good example that K’s are not THEE problem. It goes deeper than that. It’s just being better hitters overall…use the whole field, know when to be patient and when to be aggressive, be a tougher out with 2 out and RISP, drive the ball more consistently. If the lower K rate can only come with inferior contact, less power…it’s zero-sum, and you’re just not a good hitter.

[VivaBomboRivera!]

Quite the light show in Hotlanta. Today Joe Ryan learned something new about the difference between "very good" and "great."

Tomorrow's another day. Stick it to 'em, fellas!

[MABB1959]

I watched the game and watching Alcuna made me think of and really miss the old Buxton.  The excitement of seeing Rosario and the 3 outfielders jumpin up after a win. Our guys have almost 0 excitement or passion for the game.  So very sad!

[RickOShea]

How long can this 'freefall" be tolerated?  The fact is,  we have several players who should not be on the 26 man roster.  Forget about the injured or hurt players who are hanging around.  We have healthy humans who should not be playing baseball for the club, right now.  I can appreciate wanting to give players an opportunity to gather themselves and work things out,  but there comes a point, when you have to make some difficult decisions.  It's not fair to the fans, who spend top dollars for ticket and concessions, to be subjected to such an inferior product. 

Patience has worn thin.  Whatever advantage or progress we have made is gone or slipping away.  Do you rescue someone before they fall, or wait til they  hit bottom, and then try to save them?

[mini_tb]

Matt Olson went 0-4.  Austin Riley hit the first inning homer after the triple.

[insagt1]

The Braves are just .001 away from being the best team in MLB. I think they already are. These last 2 games were no contests. Twins hitters can't figure it out. When they aren't striking out with runners in scoring position, they are hitting weak grounders and pop ups. What to fix first? Plate approach. The k's MUST be reduced. Then they look at how to make better contact to start driving the ball again. They had so many chances yesterday but looked like a little league team at the plate. (the opposition can help that look)

Clearly when you are playing a team like Atlanta, talented over the top, you change your approach. Runner at 3rd, one out (and you are hitting like crap) lay one down and get that guy home. Runner on 1st and a DP or K-man up next...steal a base. Other teams are doing it. Figure out how to manufacture runs instead of flailing away trying to hit it 500 feet.

Cut the deadwood. Make some changes. St.Paul has some talent that needs to be looked at.

Leadership. Since Cruz left, there has been none. Since Eddie and Turtle left (for all their weaknesses) there is no excitement. This team isn't having any fun. Even in a miserable division, they have been on top but they certainly don't look like they are enjoying it.

Correa, Buxton, Gallo and Kepler have been major disappointments so far. Polanco has been hurt most the season. Kirilloff seems to have lost all his power. Twins have reached the halfway mark under .500 but still .5 in first. That isn't going to last the week.

The talent may be there, but the execution isn't. Could be a long hot miserable summer.

[Doctor Wu]

Just no predicting this team at this point. Joe Ryan goes from pitching his finest game in a Twins uniform to perhaps his very worst. Baseball is a funny (as in strange) game. 

[Mark G]

16 minutes ago, insagt1 said:

The Braves are just .001 away from being the best team in MLB. I think they already are. These last 2 games were no contests. Twins hitters can't figure it out. When they aren't striking out with runners in scoring position, they are hitting weak grounders and pop ups. What to fix first? Plate approach. The k's MUST be reduced. Then they look at how to make better contact to start driving the ball again. They had so many chances yesterday but looked like a little league team at the plate. (the opposition can help that look)

Clearly when you are playing a team like Atlanta, talented over the top, you change your approach. Runner at 3rd, one out (and you are hitting like crap) lay one down and get that guy home. Runner on 1st and a DP or K-man up next...steal a base. Other teams are doing it. Figure out how to manufacture runs instead of flailing away trying to hit it 500 feet.

Cut the deadwood. Make some changes. St.Paul has some talent that needs to be looked at.

Leadership. Since Cruz left, there has been none. Since Eddie and Turtle left (for all their weaknesses) there is no excitement. This team isn't having any fun. Even in a miserable division, they have been on top but they certainly don't look like they are enjoying it.

Correa, Buxton, Gallo and Kepler have been major disappointments so far. Polanco has been hurt most the season. Kirilloff seems to have lost all his power. Twins have reached the halfway mark under .500 but still .5 in first. That isn't going to last the week.

The talent may be there, but the execution isn't. Could be a long hot miserable summer.

As of today, you are spot on,  

As for the long summer, after the All Star break we play 23 out of 26 games against sub par, or very sub par teams.  That will determine our season.  What are the odds we will be ready?  Stay tuned............

[mikelink45]

Half the season gone - is it still SSS?  Don't we have enough facts to cut some of the "old vets" loose and start putting youth and excitement into the game.  Kiriloff, Julien, and Lewis have shown that the young can play - a lot of players have shown that the older are not producing. 

[Peter]

7 hours ago, hitterscount said:

Could be 3-4 games under.500 before the next home series and no longer in first place in the weakest division in baseball. And we still don’t make any changes…. at what point does the brain trust recognize this isn’t working? Seriously, I look at this lineup and think we should have a good team… yet halfway through the season we are just a lost group of losers with zero leadership. Really pathetic considering we have a decent starting rotation and top line closer.  Close to calling it over…

 Totally agree with you but you can’t call it over!!! We are diehard fans. You have to think twins will start winning. We can take Baltimore and beat royals. Let’s see how Cleveland does against cubs/Braves. I say 1-5 Twins bounce back with vengeance after all start break!

 

7 hours ago, hitterscount said:

Could be 3-4 games under.500 before the next home series and no longer in first place in the weakest division in baseball. And we still don’t make any changes…. at what point does the brain trust recognize this isn’t working? Seriously, I look at this lineup and think we should have a good team… yet halfway through the season we are just a lost group of losers with zero leadership. Really pathetic considering we have a decent starting rotation and top line closer.  Close to calling it over…

g

 

7 hours ago, hitterscount said:

Could be 3-4 games under.500 before the next home series and no longer in first place in the weakest division in baseball. And we still don’t make any changes…. at what point does the brain trust recognize this isn’t working? Seriously, I look at this lineup and think we should have a good team… yet halfway through the season we are just a lost group of losers with zero leadership. Really pathetic considering we have a decent starting rotation and top line closer.  Close to calling it over…

7 hours ago, hitterscount said:

Could be 3-4 games under.500 before the next home series and no longer in first place in the weakest division in baseball. And we still don’t make any changes…. at what point does the brain trust recognize this isn’t working? Seriously, I look at this lineup and think we should have a good team… yet halfway through the season we are just a lost group of losers with zero leadership. Really pathetic considering we have a decent starting rotation and top line closer.  Close to calling it over…

 

[Reptevia]

They will return home from this road-trip in 2nd place. They probably won’t see 1st again this year. Time to flush the 100% nerd approach. We’ve seen the results. Other than 2019 fueled by a juiced ball, at this point, you really have to question the value (or at least the accuracy) of the underlying metrics. 

[MABB1959]

Given the talent on the Braves team I am not that disappointed.  One thing that should stand out to the Twins players is how Atlanta is as a group and having fun.  It also points out how contagious hitting can be.  We just do not have the players to get a rally going or they are not at an appropriate place in the line-up.  They must be so deflated with no leadership to pull them up.  We hear about players that are signed partially for their leadership and mentoring.  I think we should have kept several players that may not be the best but are great at keeping the team at least alive looking.  Arraez, Rosario, Sano, the Turtle and Escobar did have that love of the game that trickled down to others and entertained the fans.  Win or lose fans like to see a team like Atlanta even if they don't win.

[umterp23]

The talk about joy and love for the game, really easy as a brave to have joy and love when you are the best team in National League, hands down and running right with Rays as best overall.

When you win, there is joy and love for the game.  When you don't, there is no joy in Mudville. 

Twins have issues in this lineup for sure and all have been stated to unleash our venting fury.  Lineup needs changes, personnel needs changes plain and not so simple.

Correa and Buxton will never bat in bottom half of lineup, regardless of how piss poor they are at the plate.  

Correa, Buxton, Kepler, Vasquez ($66.976MM in salary this year) go 1 for 15 !!  only one not to hit into double play was Buxton and they only had 3 K's (so only bright spot if you can call it one).

 

[Old Twins Cap]

Five more years of Correa?   That will be a long, painful half decade.

And now, Buxton?  Expensive DH, oft injured and well below average.

Gallo: automatic K machine.

Kepler has lost a step and a stroke.

The old guys are making this the most boring team in baseball.

Did not see this coming.

[insagt1]

expected a lot more from Correa and Buxton for sure. Kepler and Gallo--didn't expect much from the get-go. Will the former 2 improve 2nd half? Will the latter 2 be gone by the ASG?

Is Kirilloff going to make it this season? His BA is fair, and his power is gone. Where does he fit in? Maybe he needs more games to get back into the groove after his surgeries? Does Larnach have a place on this team ultimately? Will Miranda get another shot this season? Stevenson?

Will Twins finally cut Pagan? How much longer will that experiment continue? His 'good stuff' is apparently only 'good' when nothing is on the line.

Losing to the Braves is no crime but it does point out just how far below the Twins are this season when compared to the really good teams.

 

[rusty boots]

19 minutes ago, Old Twins Cap said:

Five more years of Correa?   That will be a long, painful half decade.

And now, Buxton?  Expensive DH, oft injured and well below average.

Gallo: automatic K machine.

Kepler has lost a step and a stroke.

The old guys are making this the most boring team in baseball.

Did not see this coming.

You didn't? 

[SockNet]

41 minutes ago, Old Twins Cap said:

Five more years of Correa?   That will be a long, painful half decade.

And now, Buxton?  Expensive DH, oft injured and well below average.

Gallo: automatic K machine.

Kepler has lost a step and a stroke.

The old guys are making this the most boring team in baseball.

Did not see this coming.

I'm still giving Correa the benefit of the doubt. Teams were lining up to give him a lot of money. His performance is disappointing and surely a part of our offensive woes but he more than the others has the ability to adjust. His position in the lineup should change, temporarily at least, as the prolonged slump warrants it.

The other three on your list were "in your face" obvious and likely to happen.

[Steven Trefz]

4 hours ago, mini_tb said:

Matt Olson went 0-4.  Austin Riley hit the first inning homer after the triple.

Good catch!  That was Sean Murphy on the third homer of the inning.  I mixed that up through my tears I believe.... :(

[Danchat]

4 errors and 5 HRs from the Braves, what a odd game from them. Eddie is still who he used to be, with the 2 errors in the outfield.

[roger]

Began watching the game and flipped to the FBI trilogy after the fourth home run in the second.  Game over.  Remember thinking as Ryan went out for the ninth inning of his shutout that he was going to be in trouble next time out.  Doesn't mean I think it was a mistake to let him go 9, just that the next start would be a loss for the Twins.

Kept checking during commercials and was pleasantly surprised the Braves score stayed at 6.  Was really expecting a 15+ to 2 blowout.  Seems every time I checked the Twins had a couple guys on base and zero or one out, yet no one scored.  That my friends, is the problem with this team and a problem that won't go away until much of the coaching staff leaves.

Too many problems to even think about what changes are needed to get this club headed in the right direction.  Best place to start is to keep playing the kids, Lewis, Kirilloff, Julien, Wallner and Larnach.  Also try to figure out how to get Miranda back on track and into the lineup.  I guess that process begins by not worrying about this season and jettisoning several pieces of the current team between now and July 31.  And as bad as the Central Division is, who knows what the result will be.

Kept thinking about how good that Atlanta lineup is.  And Eddie Rosario is a key piece of it.  Still believe it was a huge mistake to let him go because he was a big part of the heart and soul of this team.