Twins 5, Royals 8 (10 innings): Heartbreaking Bobby Witt Jr. Walk-Off Grand Slam Ends See-Saw Loss

[Matt Braun]

With no respect for those who have to write postgames and the such. 

Image courtesy of Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Box Score
Sonny Gray: 6 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
Home Runs: None
Bottom 3 WPA: Jhoan Duran (-.793), Matt Wallner (-.326), Sonny Gray (-.116)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

The Twins started their warm, sweaty foray into the state of Missouri with a weekend series against the dreadful Royals. At just 29-75—bad in ways even the A’s can admire—Kansas City represented a fine opportunity for Minnesota to rack up some wins, potentially separating themselves more from the sad melee that is the best of the AL Central. With Brady Singer and his 5.55 ERA on the mound, the game barely needed to be played. 

Singer pitched… a lot. Following a relatively breezy start to the game, the former first-round pick labored, utilizing the entirety of home plate and its accompanying space in the third, fourth, and fifth as his pitch count climbed. It all worked out fine for him; the Twins could only square up a few offerings as they stared at sinkers and whiffed at sliders, leading to a season-high 10 strikeouts for Kansas City’s young righty. He exited with 104 pitches. 

Minnesota scored a pair of runs, though; Ryan Jeffers stayed on a slider and punched it up the middle to plate the first score before another expertly executed double steal tangled up Bobby Witt Jr. just long enough to allow Willi Castro to dash home. 

In comparison, Sonny Gray was smooth, efficient. While Singer fired far too many bullets in 97-degree weather, sweating, walking, and hitting batters, Gray could seemingly only find quick innings—even the run he allowed early was in a frame that took only 10 pitches. His early command wasn’t quite sharp, but it quickly came around, leading to a trio of 1-2-3 innings leading into the sixth. 

And it seemed that this would be the game’s blueprint; it didn't matter that Salvador Perez (playing first base!) robbed Matt Wallner of a multi-RBI knock in the fifth, the Twins—being the better team—owned the win by birthright, and all they needed to do was count down the outs until they could add another W to their collection.

But, no one apparently consulted the Royals in this matter, as they suddenly decided that the bottom of the sixth, with two outs, would be the best time for their stagnant, sleeping offense to break out. It started with a Maikel Garcia triple to right field—no problem; Gray just needed one more out anyways—before Witt Jr. pounded a double to tie the game. Uh oh. Finally, M.J. Melendez broke the tie, guiding a single into right-center. The Twins were no longer ahead. 

The ensuing bullpen battle didn’t move the needle in either direction. Relievers of all shapes, arm angles, and assorted offerings entered, acquired their needed outs, and left the game where they found it, but missing a few remaining outs. New Twin Dylan Floro entered for the first time; he surrendered an RBI single to Witt Jr. in the eighth. 

But there was the still the ninth, that critical game-deciding frame capable of giving and stealing hope. The Royals called upon their old weapon, Scott Barlow, to pitch. Byron Buxton—evidently now free from the tyranny of hospital cots—pinch hit and singled to center; he advanced to second on a Carlos Correa groundout. After an Edouard Julien walk and a Donovan Solano hit by pitch loaded the bases, Jorge Polanco stood as the man who could end the game, or continue hope for at least one more half-frame. In a game where he started at third base for the first time in a major-league game since 2016, Polanco came through, yanking a slider to right field to plate two. The game was tied.

And so we entered Manfred baseball. With a free man on second, Kyle Farmer squeaked a ball through the infield, bringing home the go-ahead run for the Twins.

Jhoan Duran emerged from the bullpen, ready to fire a few blazing darts before ending the game. He got Drew Waters with ease, but things were not so easy afterwards; Kyle Isbel swiped third, and Duran filled in the bases behind him, walking two to load the bases. His curve couldn't make it to the plate, diving feet before home plate as Jeffers stood on his head to ensure the tying run wouldn't score. No matter: he still had the lightning fastball to work with. He ran the count full yet again—this time to Witt Jr.—ensuring a game-altering pitch. He delivered his best: a riding, screaming 102 MPH fastball inside, but Witt Jr. knew the pitch was coming, sensed it's ensuing break, and blasted the offering 414 feet out to left field, ending the game on a miracle swing off a pitcher thought to be immortal. 

Notes:

Sonny Gray has not won a game since April 30th.

Gray is two strikeouts away from tying his total set in 2022 with the Twins.

Duran's three earned runs are the most he's allowed in an outing since April 15th, 2022 against the Red Sox—his 3rd career major-league appearance. 

Ryan Jeffers collected his third multi-hit game in the month of July.
Post-Game Interview:

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

 

 

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[VivaBomboRivera!]

Most retrograde to our desires.

[Aggies7]

In case anyone was fooled earlier this week

 

[gunnarthor]

Honestly, Witt Jr is a good young player. Every now and then, that'll happen. Nice to see the Twins score some runs.

[Cap'n Piranha]

1 minute ago, gunnarthor said:

Honestly, Witt Jr is a good young player. Every now and then, that'll happen. Nice to see the Twins score some runs.

If 5 runs in 10 innings is a positive offensive night to you, then selling is definitely the right course.

[ashbury]

Sell.

[pierre75275]

Honestly, how many games in a row have we won in a row in the royals?? Can't win every game. We had our best pitcher with the game on the line. It didnt work out. 

Get em tomorrow.

[tony&rodney]

Witt Jr. is a really exciting young and talented player. He was better than Duran tonight. He shortened up his swing and still drove the ball.

I never celebrate wins or loathe losses when the game enters Manfredball. MLB isn't on board either or it would be in use in the playoffs. I do realize that many fans love the ghost runner and quicker extra inning endings and everyone in the business gets to bed earlier as well. So it goes.

Ober is pitching tomorrow night, which has been a positive season long event thus far.

[troyjuhn]

Sadness is all I feel. Painful

[David A]

Frustrating loss, but I don’t think it makes sense to sell. Just stand pat. Maybe add a cheap reliever, drop Gallo. 

[glunn]

1 hour ago, ashbury said:

Sell.

Sell who? And can we please get a great young catcher?

[mnfireman]

Duran needs to quit nibbling at the corners with his off speed and just throw the heat, high. He got beat because he nibbled and then had to throw strikes, though if he located the pitch he got beat on a little better it would have been a swing and miss instead of a HR,

[SwainZag]

Twins were in position to win with their best player on the mound.  He just got beat.  That should be no indication to tip any scale to sell. 

[VivaBomboRivera!]

2 hours ago, glunn said:

And can we please get a great young catcher?

Who's hitting .280, with an OPS over .800?  I know a guy.  Name starts with J...

[VivaBomboRivera!]

3 hours ago, ashbury said:

Sell.

Counter-propsal:  Just win the damned Division and see how well you do in a 3-game series with home field advantage. Then take it from there.
Some October is better than no October at all.

[VivaBomboRivera!]

3 hours ago, pierre75275 said:

We had our best pitcher with the game on the line.

It does seem that some teams are learning that the way to beat a guy throwing over 100 is to make him throw the pill in the zone.

[William K Johnson]

A couple of quick questions:

When did Alex Kiriloff turn into Joey Gallo?

and

When did Johan Duran turn into Emillo Pagan?

[Peter]

Heartbreaking/unacceptable and crushing loss!!! You can’t walk anyone at anytime!!! That will cost you and it did. Must must must win this series!!! Also gallo and Sonny can be dealt at deadline! 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

6 hours ago, glunn said:

Sell who? And can we please get a great young catcher?

Why do we need another great young catcher? Jeffers is doing fine.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Entertaining, well written article about a frustrating loss. Thanks Matt.

[mikelink45]

14 Ks the record is ours for the taking! 

Time to move on.  The only concern is whether we are starting to get to a point where our BP is exhausted - especially in the heat and Sonny Gray is not showing that he is more than a 5 inning pitcher like he and the rest of us wished.

[CRF]

Duran definitely wasn't sharp last night, but that was a helluva pitch that Witt hit for the homer. Tough way to lose though. 

[LewFordLives]

It doesn't matter how hard you throw if a good major league hitter knows what's coming. Duran created that entire situation.

[LastOnePicked]

3 hours ago, VivaBomboRivera! said:

Counter-propsal:  Just win the damned Division and see how well you do in a 3-game series with home field advantage. Then take it from there.

Here's the potential problem, though: they tried the same thing last year and failed. That means you get zero value for players who have no future here, plus you lose future value - sometimes incredible value - in prospects. The Twins are on the exact same trajectory as last year.

Besides, even if they sneak into the division title, extending the losing streak to 20 games seems all but assured with this squad.

But we'll just have to see how it all plays out.

[Patzky]

7 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Witt Jr. is a really exciting young and talented player. He was better than Duran tonight. He shortened up his swing and still drove the ball.

I never celebrate wins or loathe losses when the game enters Manfredball. MLB isn't on board either or it would be in use in the playoffs. I do realize that many fans love the ghost runner and quicker extra inning endings and everyone in the business gets to bed earlier as well. So it goes.

Ober is pitching tomorrow night, which has been a positive season long event thus far.

As disappointed in last night as I am, it's nice to have a rotation that always spawns optimism for the next game. Can't put a price tag on that.

[VivaBomboRivera!]

20 minutes ago, LastOnePicked said:

Here's the potential problem, though: they tried the same thing last year and failed.

Last year is so last year.

[DJL44]

7 hours ago, glunn said:

Sell who? And can we please get a great young catcher?

Ryan Jeffers is having a very good season.

[big dog]

I'm trying to craft the completely typical 2023 Twins game in my head. Let's see...

Great start... for 5-6 innings.

Twins hit 3 early solo homers, leave 8 men on base through 6. Lead 3-1.

Starting pitcher leaves, bullpen gives up lead.

Twins regain lead, barely, while still leaving 6 more men on base.

Bullpen blows lead as four different pitchers throw gasoline on the fire. People blame too many ground balls finding holes, and still think Duran's a great pitcher as his WHIP climbs toward 3 while blaming the extra-inning free runner for him giving up a grand slam.

Twins lose, hit 3 solo HRs, go 2-14 with RISP, and strike out 15 times. Starter ERA remains among the best in the league.  Hitters are pleased with their focus and say they are just about to turn a corner.

Yeah, I think that's pretty close.

[DJL44]

52 minutes ago, LastOnePicked said:

Here's the potential problem, though: they tried the same thing last year and failed.

Yeah, trying is probably a bad idea. Better to quit when you're ahead. Quitting is best way to build a fanbase.

[John Belinski]

No good closer walks 2 batters with low batting averages. Duran has got long way to go before he becomes a good closer. Twins have had some really good closers over the years and to be a winning team a good closer is a must. The Yankees had a great closer when they were a winning team and every winning team needs a good closer.