Braves 3, Twins 0: The Bats Disappear Once Again, Waste a Solid Maeda Start

[Thiéres Rabelo]

The same old story took place in Atlanta this afternoon. Kenta Maeda limited to Braves to only two runs through five, the bullpen was mostly solid, but the offense was unable to spark a rally against the strong Braves’ pitching. The Twins get swept for the second time this season and may lose first place for the first time since April 10 with a Cleveland win later today.

Image courtesy of Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Box Score
Starting Pitcher: Kenta Maeda, 5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K (82 pitches, 53 strikes, 64.6%)
Home Runs: none
Bottom 3 WPA: Kyle Farmer (-.109), Joey Gallo (-.103), Michael A. Taylor (-.098)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

The Twins came into this game looking to avoid their second sweep of the season and perhaps gain some momentum ahead of the Baltimore series. But that would be no simple task: the Braves, who currently have the best record in the National League, have kept the Twins' offense on a leash in the first two games of the series. This afternoon, they brought lefty Kolby Allard to the mound, and with the Twins having the third-worst OPS against lefties in all of baseball (.666), the task seemed even harder.

If the Twins were to have a chance in this game, they would need to rely heavily on their pitching to keep them alive, and based on their starter’s track record against today’s opponents, their chances looked good (in theory). Making his sixth start of the season, the second since returning from the Injured List, Kenta Maeda was looking to have another solid start, similar to the one he had last Friday when he tossed five scoreless with eight strikeouts against the Tigers. Maeda had a 2.00 ERA against the Braves in his previous three starts against the Braves, his lowest ERA against any single opponent in his career.

After the offense fell down in order with three strikeouts in the top of the first, Maeda was off to a strong start, but a defensive miscue in right field allowed the Braves to get on the board first. Joey Gallo dropped an apparently easy foul ball near the railing, allowing Ronald Acuña Jr. to work out a walk and later score on a Matt Olson two-out double. Without any sign of life from the Twins lineup, the Braves scored another run in the third, taking advantage of back-to-back singles given up by Maeda to open the inning, followed by an RBI sac-fly.

Allard looked fantastic through four, allowing no runs, just two hits, and striking out six, having tossed only 51 pitches. But in the fifth, the Twins' offense put together its first real threat of the game. Alex Kirilloff hit a leadoff single and was followed by a Christian Vázquez walk, and for the first time in the game, the Twins had two men on with no outs. Allard fought back and retired the next two batters but was removed from the game despite having thrown only 71 total pitches. Kirby Yates took over and struck out Donovan Solano to end the inning. With that out, the Twins were 0-for-22 with runners in scoring position in this series.

After giving up back-to-back hits in the third, Maeda went on to limit Braves hitters to 2-for-10 with a walk, completing five once again. This was the second time this season in which he’s tossed at least five innings in two consecutive starts, but only the first time he does so while also allowing two or fewer runs in each start since July 9, 2021. He did his part by keeping the Twins' chances alive, but the offense would need to step up if Minnesota was going to steal this game.

Jovani Morán took over in the seventh and, like Maeda, kept Minnesota alive by tossing two scoreless frames next. Yates retired the side with ease in the sixth, but hopes went up when Willi Castro hit a leadoff single in the seventh. But after a couple of short-lived at-bats, Vázquez grounded into an inning-ending double play, and all hope was gone.

The offense was a no-show again in the eighth, but Jordan Balazovic got two quick outs in the bottom of the inning, seemingly keeping the Twins’ chances alive too. But that didn’t last long: in the very next at-bat, he gave up a solo home run to Olson, making it 3-0 Atlanta. A three-run deficit isn’t an impossible one to overcome… if you’re not the current Twins offense. The bats went down in order in the top of the ninth against closer Raisel Iglesias.

Postgame interview

What’s Next?
The Twins travel to Baltimore, where they’ll enjoy a day off on Thursday and start a three-game series against the Orioles on Friday (6/30). Taking the mound for Minnesota is Pablo López (3-5, 4.41 ERA), while the O’s turn to Dean Kremer (8-3, 4.50 ERA). The series opener’s first pitch is scheduled for 6:05 pm CDT.

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

	SAT	SUN	MON	TUE	WED	TOT
Balazovic	6	18	0	0	18	42
Headrick	0	6	0	35	0	41
Pagán	30	0	8	0	0	38
Morán	0	0	0	0	36	36
Ortega	0	0	0	32	0	32
Winder	0	0	19	0	0	19
Jax	0	17	0	0	0	17
Durán	0	15	0	0	0	15

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[Mike Sixel]

And the FO does nothing.....

Inexcusable that Vazquez was playing, let alone hitting with a runner on late in a game.

[Dave Borton]

0-18 in last two games w/runners in scoring position.

If this were an anomaly, I could live with it. But how often must this occur before there is responsibility assigned and accountability dealt with? 

Inexcusable.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Firing Popkins is such low-hanging fruit. Why hasn't it happened yet?

[Old Crow]

Watching the Twins play this year is like being stuck in Ground Hog's day.  Nothing ever seems to change.

[LastOnePicked]

4 minutes ago, Old Crow said:

Nothing ever seems to change.

Well, their place in the standings is about to change tonight.

[Matt Braun]

All I know is, in the off-season, the Twins need to swipe a few of Atlantas hitting coaches or coordinators; I’ve never seen a group of hitters so dynamic. 

[big dog]

Yeah, maybe getting a couple more dynamic hitters on the team would help too. Never seen an entire team hit this terribly compared to expectation. What a joke.

To paraphrase a Gary Gaetti quote from about 1985, it's hard to drive in a runner from third with both hands around your throat.

[Dman]

This offense stinks especially when it comes to clutch at bats.  Maybe Morneau can come out of retirement and show them how it is done.  Glad I didn't watch this one.

[KirbyDome89]

Allard owned a career 5.92 ERA as a starter (35 starts) coming into the game. His numbers as a relief pitcher were even worse. That's not really a tough task.

4.2 IP with 8 Ks and 0 ER today. It was his first outing of the season after tearing an oblique in ST. 

Those first two Boston games last week were the low point but we might be breaking new ground folks....

[TwinsDr2021]

On a positive note the bullpen pitched 9 1/3 innings out of 24 and only gave up 2 runs. Sadly in those 3 games the offensive only scored 3 runs.

[rickyriolo]

What a waste watching the Twins play Atlanta was handing us the game starting Kolby Allard yet they do absolutely nothing against him 

[RJA]

Frankly, Rocco should go.  I am not saying he doesn't have strengths, but this team does not play with any sense of urgency, and does not make adjustments.  He is a "player's manager", but I suggest that this team needs someone who demands more accountability and has a stronger personality.  As Gleeman pointed out, since May we have the third worst record in the American League.  Watching this team flail away at the plate makes them almost unwatchable.  Yes, the players need to perform, but it is a manager's job to make sure they do.  Rocco has been unable to do that for whatever reason.  The buck stops with him with regard to onfield performance.  And for heaven's sake, why are we still running Kepler and Gallo out there instead of Wallner?  The FO has also bungled things in a major way, giving away Steer, Povich, CES and others for injured and/or players with little history of performance.  And, dare I mention Pagan?  I am almost afraid of what they might do at this trade deadline.  It is truly a sad situation.  

Edited June 28, 2023 by RJA

[Aggies7]

I never call for another man’s job but cmon now. Results based business here, innit?

[TwinsDr2021]

Rocco in the press conference sounded like what quite a few on here have been saying for a two plus years.

The question on the two strike approach after the Rays series. That was 19 games ago and they have gone 9 - 10 and nothing changed.

The question I have is who isn't going to Baltimore, you can't have a presser like that and not a make some sort of change. Buxton to the IR, Kepler gone, AK to the minors (June - 16/74 - .216/.284/.324)

Here is what I would do I would send AK down and call up Williams, I would cut Kepler and bring up Wallner, IR Buxton and do something splashy like call up Keirsey, or Soularie. (I would personally would call up Rosario, but I know that is going to happen and only me wants that)

[OvertheHill]

According to ESPN, two Twins currently have WAR over 1.0; Castro 1.6 and Jeffers 1.3. Notice that does not include anyone really supposed to be carrying this team right now according to the FO. That is the same number of 1.0 WAR players as Oakland btw.

That's putrid, and for perspective, Baltimore currently has 7 players with WAR over 1.0, and one (Hays) over 2.0.

Going to continue to be ugly.

Blow this thing up I say. Start the rebuild. That's the only way this front office is going to have (or get?) any credibility with me.

 

Edited June 28, 2023 by OvertheHill
typo

[howeda7]

1 minute ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

Rocco in the press conference sounded like what quite a few on here have been saying for a two plus years.

The question on the two strike approach after the Rays series. That was 19 games ago and they have gone 9 - 10 and nothing changed.

The question I have is who isn't going to Baltimore, you can't have a presser like that and not a make some sort of change. Buxton to the IR, Kepler gone, AK to the minors (June - 16/74 - .216/.284/.324)

Here is what I would do I would send AK down and call up Williams, I would cut Kepler and bring up Wallner, IR Buxton and do something splashy like call up Keirsey, or Soularie. (I would personally would call up Rosario, but I know that is going to happen and only me wants that)

Buxton's as healthy as he's going to get and unless AK is hurt, there's no reason to send him down.

Fire Rocco and Popkins. DFA Kepler and Gallo.

Get Wallner and one of Larnach or Miranda up here.

[TwinsDr2021]

11 minutes ago, howeda7 said:

Buxton's as healthy as he's going to get and unless AK is hurt, there's no reason to send him down.

Fire Rocco and Popkins. DFA Kepler and Gallo.

Get Wallner and one of Larnach or Miranda up here.

I could care less if he is as healthy as he is going to get, having him up is hurting the team and if the manager and FO can't see that well they are worse than I think they are (and that is pretty bad)

June - 5/42 - .119/.178/.357 that is f'n terrible

AK has played like crap all of June, with Correa that is the middle of the lineup hitting just slightly better than if us fans were in the lineup.

Larnach and Miranda have done nothing worthy of being called up. Wallner has and with Buxton on the DL he can DH.

Getting somebody up that can play center field means we can start being done with Taylor and his .215/.235/.477

They aren't cutting Gallo, but they shouldn't be starting him very often either, he can pinch hit and play some defense. But if they want to cut him, I am for that as well - .186/.239/.395

I will say this if nothing is done prior to tomorrow I may have to actually start cheering on the losses.

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, TwinsDr2021 said:

I could care less if he is as healthy as he is going to get, having him up is hurting the team and if the manager and FO can't see that well they are worse than I think they are (and that is pretty bad)

June - 5/42 - .119/.178/.357 that is f'n terrible

AK has played like crap all of June, with Correa that is the middle of the lineup hitting just slightly better than if us fans were in the lineup.

Larnach and Miranda have done nothing worthy of being called up. Wallner has and with Buxton on the DL he can DH.

Getting somebody up that can play center field means we can start being done with Taylor and his .215/.235/.477

They aren't cutting Gallo, but they shouldn't be starting him very often either, he can pinch hit and play some defense. But if they want to cut him, I am for that as well - .186/.239/.395

 

 

You think no one sees that? 

CC and AK are very disappointing. No idea what to do there....but I'd suggest a change in hitting coaches and philosophy and see if that works miraculously.

They 100% should DFA Gallo and Kepler at this point. They are what they are, and this team, as built, can't win playoffs. Start the "youth" movement now.

[TwinsDr2021]

1 minute ago, Mike Sixel said:

You think no one sees that? 

CC and AK are very disappointing. No idea what to do there....but I'd suggest a change in hitting coaches and philosophy and see if that works miraculously.

They 100% should DFA Gallo and Kepler at this point. They are what they are, and this team, as built, can't win playoffs. Start the "youth" movement now.

[Brandon27]

It's time for new coaches,GM and new ownership 

[Mike Sixel]

I won't be shocked if Baldelli and the hitting coach take the fall, but his is 90% on the FO. 

Taylor, Solano, Castro, Gallo are known backups. Kepler is also (or worse). They appear to be 100% wrong on Vazquez, and somehow CC has forgotten how to hit. That's, like, nearly every player that plays every day. Then there is Buxton not being a shell of himself. I'm not sure how Baldelli is supposed to fill out a lineup card, given ALL THREE OF on the roster are backups at best, the SS can't hit, the C they signed can't hit, and their DH is not good......

[USAFChief]

I was at 2 of these 3 games. Never seen worse body language or energy from a team, and I've been to a fair number of big-league games.

I do not understand how nobody has lost their job yet.

[Mike Sixel]

6 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

I won't be shocked if Baldelli and the hitting coach take the fall, but his is 90% on the FO. 

Taylor, Solano, Castro, Gallo are known backups. Kepler is also (or worse). They appear to be 100% wrong on Vazquez, and somehow CC has forgotten how to hit. That's, like, nearly every player that plays every day. Then there is Buxton not being a shell of himself. I'm not sure how Baldelli is supposed to fill out a lineup card, given ALL THREE OF on the roster are backups at best, the SS can't hit, the C they signed can't hit, and their DH is not good......

AK is struggling too....so, um, that leaves Julien, Jeffers, and Lewis. That's it. Also, interestingly, three guys they developed, maybe they should use more of those types.

[OvertheHill]

Just now, USAFChief said:

I was at 2 of these 3 games. Never seen worse body language or energy from a team, and I've been to a fair number of big-league games.

I do not understand how nobody has lost their job yet.

Thank you for that observation. There has been something really wrong with the energy surrounding this team for a while. I suggest it starts with the FO, trickles down through the coaching staff, and lands on the players who look like they're in a daze a lot of the time. 

This stuff will not fix itself.

[Mike Sixel]

Weird how everyone praised their leadership and energy the first half of last year.....I think this is mostly not real. But, something is wrong for sure.

[USAFChief]

1 minute ago, Mike Sixel said:

Weird how everyone praised their leadership and energy the first half of last year.....I think this is mostly not real. But, something is wrong for sure.

You keep on using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means. 

[Mike Sixel]

1 minute ago, USAFChief said:

You keep on using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means. 

Go back and look at what people said early last year about CC and Buxton, but sure, a few didn't....whatever. 

[howeda7]

26 minutes ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

I could care less if he is as healthy as he is going to get, having him up is hurting the team and if the manager and FO can't see that well they are worse than I think they are (and that is pretty bad)

June - 5/42 - .119/.178/.357 that is f'n terrible

AK has played like crap all of June, with Correa that is the middle of the lineup hitting just slightly better than if us fans were in the lineup.

Larnach and Miranda have done nothing worthy of being called up. Wallner has and with Buxton on the DL he can DH.

Getting somebody up that can play center field means we can start being done with Taylor and his .215/.235/.477

They aren't cutting Gallo, but they shouldn't be starting him very often either, he can pinch hit and play some defense. But if they want to cut him, I am for that as well - .186/.239/.395

I will say this if nothing is done prior to tomorrow I may have to actually start cheering on the losses.

 

 

Sending AK down while keeping Kepler and Gallo on the roster would be ridiculous. Neither provide anything outside of some decent defense on Gallo's part, but it's not worth the complete black hole in the line-up.

You can't just IL Buxton because you're mad at him. He's not hurt. He doesn't need to play every day if he's not hitting.

I don't care whether Larnach or Miranda "earned" a call-up. At least they're young and might improve. Gallo and Kepler are what they are. And Miranda's been hitting well lately.

[chpettit19]

Kenta was solid again today. So that's fun.