Twins 7, Reds 0: Bittersweet Victory as Royce Lewis Leaves Game With Injury

[Steven Trefz]

The Twins' magic number lowered to three, the Twins' arms pitched a shut-out, and no Twins fan went home happy after Royce Lewis left the game mid-at-bat. Here's how the ecstacy and agony transpired.

Image courtesy of Kareem Elgazzar - USA Today

Box Score:
Starting Pitcher: Kenta Maeda 5 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K (83 Pitches, 51 Strikes, 61%)
Home Runs: Ryan Jeffers (11), Willi Castro (8)
Top 3 WPA: Maeda (.305), Matt Wallner (.185), Jeffers (.097)
Win Probability Chart (Via Fangraphs):

Tuesday night's matchup between the Twins and the Reds saw two clubs at very different ends of the playoff push spectrum. The Twins came into the game with a magic number at 5, and the opportunity to rest some players and to experiment with their approach, with a fill-in manager Jayce Tingler to boot (thanks to Rocco Baldelli's twins arriving this week!). The Reds came into the game tied with the Cubs for the last wild card spot in the NL, with little to no room for error. The Twins sent a veteran starting pitcher to the mound in Kenta Maeda. The Reds sent an opener to the mound in Fernando Cruz, with plans for a bullpen game.

In order to figure out which of those narratives lent itself towards victory, they played a baseball game. It turns out the Twins' approach was the way to go. No one could foresee, however, the cost that would come with this victory.

Kenta Maeda Made His Case Known
Pablo Lopez and Sonny Gray will be the Game 1 & 2 starters for the Twins in the playoffs. Game 3 is up for grabs, and on Tuesday night Maeda made an excellent case for the role. On the heels of a dominating seven-inning, two run performance against the White Sox, Maeda kept the Reds young hitters off of the basepaths in the opening innings, and escaped cluttered bases in the top of the fourth. 

Twins Open the Scoring
The Twins faced an opening pitcher, and ended up seeing five different pitchers in the first five innings. They had planned on seeing Ben Lively as a longer relief option earlier in the game, but insetad the Reds went to Buck Farmer as the second man out of the pen to get the Reds out of a dicey situation in the top of the second inning. Max Kepler reached on a walk and stole second thanks to an Elly De La Cruz botched catch and tag. Farmer promptly accelerated the anxiety of the situation by walking Ryan Jeffers. Matt Wallner looked overmatched by Farmer's fastball, but luckily he ended up getting a slider which he deposited past the infield to plate Kepler to make it 1-0 Twins.

Jeffers got into the scoring mix again in the top of the fourth, when he lined a solo shot into the left field bleachers off of the next reliever up, Daniel Duarte. 111.5 mph of pure Twins magic number reduction power.

The Middler Finally Arrives, and the Twins Were Ready for It
By the time Lively finally arrived in the game the Twins bats were warmed up and took what he gave him. Four straight singles in the top of the sixth led to two more runs. The top of the seventh inning brought more runs as well, this time provided by the daddy power of one Willi Castro.

Let's Talk About Twins Pitching Some More
Maeda ended up completing five innings of one-hit baseball. Full counts early in the game ended well, but Maeda's pitch count rose to 83 by the end of the fifth and the keys to the mound were handed to Kody Funderburk, Emilio Pagan, Caleb Thielbar, and Dylan Floro kept the shutout intact. Castro and his home run robbing skills also kept the shutout intact, which cannot go overlooked in the analysis of "how well the pitchers did tonight."

The Only Thing That Could Ruin Tonight Is...
Royce. Lewis. Injured. 

Lewis attempted to stay in the game after tweaking something while running out a double-play grounder in the sixth inning. He was forced to leave the game mid-at-bat in the top of the eighth. The words "oblique" and "despair" circulated on social media.

The Twins added on to their lead in this game, but their lead on the division and hope for the playoffs will rest with the post-game news on just what level of injury is facing the heart of this team. Initial reports focus on a tight hamstring, but until more details emerge its our heartstrings that will be clenched.

What's Next: Twins RHP Bailey Ober (7-6, 3.67 ERA) against Reds RHP Hunter Greene (4-6, 4.45 ERA) in the series finale Wednesday, with the Twins looking to continue their push for the second seed in the AL. First pitch is scheduled at the Great American Ball Park for 11:35am CDT. Yes, you read that right, its time for some morning baseball in Twins Territory.

Postgame Interviews:

 

Bullpen Usage:

	FRI	SAT	SUN	MON	TUE	TOT
Keuchel	0	0	0	58	0	58
Funderburk	16	0	0	0	20	36
Pagán	0	0	22	0	8	30
Jax	16	0	13	0	0	29
Varland	29	0	0	0	0	29
Winder	0	25	0	0	0	25
Thielbar	0	0	0	0	16	16
Floro	0	0	0	0	16	16
Durán	0	9	0	0	0	9

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[BH67]

With Cleveland having lost, the words of Schoolhouse Rock could not be more appropriate:

"Three. It's a magic number."

UPDATE: The Astros lost. Four-game difference for the bye with ten to play, plus the tiebreaker. Houston may fall out of first place tomorrow. If Texas takes over, just as well.

Here's hoping Royce's injury isn't serious.

[USAFChief]

1 hour ago, Steven Trefz said:

Royce. Lewis. Injured. 

 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

[stringer bell]

Well, for now we can drop the narrative about everyone getting healthy as we turn the calendar to October. The Twins are doing about as well as my Fantasy Football team (already two on IR).

[Parfigliano]

35 minutes ago, Hosken Bombo Disco said:

 

Good question.

[Nashvilletwin]

2 hours ago, BH67 said:

With Cleveland having lost, the words of Schoolhouse Rock could not be more appropriate:

"Three. It's a magic number."

UPDATE: The Astros lost. Four-game difference for the bye with ten to play, plus the tiebreaker. Houston may fall out of first place tomorrow. If Texas takes over, just as well.

Here's hoping Royce's injury isn't serious.

Yeah, let’s get a win tomorrow and pull for an O’s sweep of the Astros.  If that happens, three back with the tiebreaker is doable given our schedule - we could go on a little run and maybe win 7 or 8 of the last 9.  Who knows?

[Nashvilletwin]

Maeda followed by Winder in game 3 if necessary. Perfectly fine with that.

[SoDakTwinsFan4]

Hamstring ( and glutes) strength, development, stretching, & tissue manipulation certainly better be a priority for professional athletes. 

Royce Lewis is a great talent and of course fun to watch, but man I hope his career isn't hampered by injuries. Not a promising start in that regard. 

[umterp23]

Pretty strong lineup last night and minus correa and Taylor, we might have seen our playoff lineup in action.  Lewis should have been pulled out of the game in the 6th after pulling up running out the double play ball.  Trainers and coaches be damn, pulling him out vs letting a player talk his way into staying in game.  

Really disappointed in Kiriloff at bats middle of the game, swinging at 1st pitch inside fastballs and dribbling them to 1st base for easy outs.  Yes, the "oppo poppo" power is there but he does step in the bucket on some bad swings.  

Polanco sure looks like he is in guess mode at the moment, some really bad fooled spinning like a top at bats last few days.

Lets push for the #2 seed, schedule in front of us is doable and AL West is fighting themselves.  Accomplish that and you get more rest days and start the series at home.  Nice prize vs wild card series.  

[jmlease1]

I really hope it's not something significant with Royce. Considering how he looked when he felt something during that AB, I'm definitely worried. It would be a real shame for him to go down at the end of a breakout season, after fighting his way back from injury again, and possibly have to miss the playoffs.

Maeda did very nicely and the bullpen finished it off. Thought Funderburke looked pretty good out there and he's an interesting case to be the second lefty in the bullpen.

Just get healthy, stay healthy, guys. Division title is almost officially secured.

[Jeff D.]

A couple of things..........

1) The Twins are playing good ball right now with great chemistry. Do NOT upset this with the lunacy of bringing back Byron Buxton. He will not add anything except for disruption and strikeouts. Our last few months of watching Taylor, Castro or anyone else playing there have done a beautiful job.

2) We need to keep stealing and small ball (hit/run, sacrifice, squeeze plays, etc....) in the mix. It seems we have not gone there much in the last 6-8 weeks.

3) Let our starters pitch. They are doing incredibly well and can work out of jams.

4) Watch out how Jax is used. Thielbar is super solid. Pagan much improved but still has the opposing batters get solid wood on the ball. Funderburk is pretty solid! 

5) Don't over analyze. We found something with the young guys and the solid playing from Solano, Polanco, Farmer,

Jeffers and Kepler was great in the second half.

6) Win a playoff game.

Twins Geezer...........out...........GO TWINS!

[Blyleven2011]

The Twins pitching did lock down a good reds lineup  ....

Castro had two great catches that saved some runs from scoring and he hit a 2 run homer ...

A great game for Castro and pitching  ...

Not so good for royce Lewis  as it appears he was injured running to first  , let's hope it is not severe  !!!

[mikelink45]

This was a good game, but all I can think about is Lewis.  He has been the key to the winning ways and team spirit.  His bat is definitely essential to the playoffs, but so is his spirit and enthusiasm.

[Karbo]

Wow what a game from Castro. And to think he was more or less an afterthought in the spring. He is what I call super utility! Hope Lewis just tweaked his hammy and can return in a few days,

[Trov]

The way Lewis reacted after the swing I am hopeful it is minor.  He was clearly trying to argue to stay in an play, and was told hell no.  When he hurt his core, he got upset right away, this time he seemed upset he was coming out more so.  I could be wrong, but the fact he appeared to be fighting to stay in gives me some hope. 

[Peter]

Total domination!!! Castro was huge!!! Lewis has hamstring tightness-hopefully he will be back by weekend series with clinching division-also think twins get 2 seed!

[laloesch]

50 minutes ago, Trov said:

The way Lewis reacted after the swing I am hopeful it is minor.  He was clearly trying to argue to stay in an play, and was told hell no.  When he hurt his core, he got upset right away, this time he seemed upset he was coming out more so.  I could be wrong, but the fact he appeared to be fighting to stay in gives me some hope. 

I don't think it was serious.  Lewis is a young guy he should bounce back.  He'll be sore for a couple of days, just needs some rest and additional stretching.  If he had torn something he likely would have gone down almost immediately.  Hammy's are often a sign that an athlete's muscles were cold and not sufficiently warmed up before a burst of movement like sprinting or running.  Long term could also mean that he needs to do some squats to strengthen that muscle group a bit.  Perhaps the trainer needs to tell these guys to be actively stretching in the dugout before at-bat's, and maybe he has. I don't know.    

[FlyingFinn]

8 hours ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Yeah, let’s get a win tomorrow and pull for an O’s sweep of the Astros.  If that happens, three back with the tiebreaker is doable given our schedule - we could go on a little run and maybe win 7 or 8 of the last 9.  Who knows?

It's not going to happen. Very hard to catch the Mariners and Rangers as well, just because they have 6 game against each other and someone has to win those games.

[DJL44]

Alex Kirilloff is struggling. .581 OPS in September. They need him to get going again.

[Bamboo Bat]

Beautifully played game. For anyone who is wondering, my pre-season criticism of the Castro signing isn't aging well. I prefer my crow medium, for anyone who needs to know. 

Oh, & where are all the Maeda haters? The season has been a constant drumbeat of "send him to the bullpen/let the young guys pitch/he's gassed" but he just keeps pitching like the solid veteran he is. 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

31 minutes ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

I don't ever recall Hrbek having any soft tissue issues and he had lots of that :-)

People talk about playing multiple sports being healthier for your muscles.

Keep in mind, Hrbek was also a two-sport athlete. Baseball and duck hunting…

[jmlease1]

Castro really had a excellent game. He's exactly what you like to have in this kind of super-utility role: switch hitter, loads of positional flexibility without major defensive downgrades, and speed. He's close to league average as a hitter, they've been able to keep him for being over-stretched at SS (while still being an option if needed)...he's been a great for for this team and was really important last night.

I will admit, I didn't think a lot of the move. I thought it was a depth move that wouldn't have much impact, but since he had an option left I figured he'd end up as a "break glass" replacement in AAA. The utilization of his speed and development of his skill as a baserunner has really increased his value. It's interesting that he didn't do this much in Detroit; he had shown some signs in the minors of having the ability. He's also done a good job this season of being more patient at the plate and taking his walks.

[KirbyDome89]

57 minutes ago, Bamboo Bat said:

Oh, & where are all the Maeda haters? The season has been a constant drumbeat of "send him to the bullpen/let the young guys pitch/he's gassed" but he just keeps pitching like the solid veteran he is.

He was battered in August.....

Even now he's not a lock for a playoff start. You'll have to elaborate on how the desire to moved Maeda to the pen (a place where he has had postseason success) is "hating." 

[Ski U Mah Gopher]

Texas & Seattle play 7 more times (each of the last 2 weekends).

The 25th-27th, Texas is at the Angels and Seattle hosts Houston on the 25th-27th. Houston hosts KC the 22nd-24th, and is at Arizona the last weekend.

The Twins might be able to survive with Lewis & Correa on the IL until the last series and still might be able to climb to #2.

Correa is already ILed for Larnach, Lewis for Gordon until the 30th might be in order.

[DocBauer]

Hell of game with everyone contributing:

1] Two tremendous defensive plays and a big HR by new daddy Castro. No crow here. I was one of a handful that really liked his signing, lot of untapped tal3n5 and still young. Can't say I expected what he's done so fat.

2] Maeda with another great start. Except for a few games here and there, he's been good to great almost every time out since his IL "rest and build up endurance" stint. I don't think there's any "hate" out there for Maeda at all. He simply has a previous history of being good in the post season pen. But in truth, it's been a few years since he's done it. And while I love Ryan, I don't know that he's got the #3 spot sewn up yet.

3] The more I watch Funderburk the more I think they've found their 2nd LH pen arm. (Would still like to see Moran get his stuff under control and run with 3 LH next year). But also makes me wonder why he wasn't up sooner considering his results not only this year, but in 2022.

4] Would have pulled Lewis the SECOND he winced and then sat him for the next couple of days where his only job would entail therapy.

 

[Battle ur tail off]

4 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Alex Kirilloff is struggling. .581 OPS in September. They need him to get going again.

They can just bench him. They don't need his defense, it's poor anyway. Put Solano at 1st and let's roll. 

[Battle ur tail off]

Hopefully Royce is OK. I would rest him until he feels good, then rest him 3 more days after that. We need that guy for the playoffs. 

[awmonahan]

So much for the value of a bench coach with manager experience. He didn't talk to Royce himself or send someone to talk to him after he gingerly returns to the dugout, during a meaningless game. It's literally his one job while Rocco is on leave. 

[jorgenswest]

Two thoughts on Lewis…

1) It is on him to speak up if he is injured. 
2) The injury already occurred on the run. It didn’t occur on the swing.

Injuries happen.