Angels 1, Twins 0: Gray Dominant, but Twins Bats Lifeless

[Hans Birkeland]

Facing a struggling and unfortunate Angels team, the Twins threw out a true hangover lineup and the game proceeded about how you would expect. Sonny Gray was good, as usual, but the offense only mustered five singles and were shut down completely by Angels pitching in a loss that practically cements their positioning as the third seed in the playoffs.

Image courtesy of Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Box Score:
Starting Pitcher: Sonny Gray: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 K (93 pitches, 61 Strikes, 65.6%)
Home Runs: None
Bottom 3 WPA: Edouard Julien (-.229), Matt Wallner (-.120), Trevor Larnach (-.107)
Win Probability Chart (Via Fangraphs):

The day after a thrilling night in which the Twins clinched the Central Division and celebrated appropriately, Sonny Gray took the mound in front of a "hangover" lineup opposing the hapless Angels. The kids would call this a "scheduled loss," and that seemed apt with Andrew Stevenson leading off despite facing a lefty starter, Jordan Luplow playing first base, and Kyle Farmer hitting cleanup.

Gray started strong, however. His breaking pitches had some good bite on them, which is a good indication that Gray would be in command and deliver a quality outing. Occasionally Gray will start throwing backup breaking balls and get forced into throwing fastballs just to stay in counts- it has been a few months since we've seen that, fortunately. His breaking stuff, particularly the sweeper, was in prime form this afternoon.

Opposing Gray was Kenny Rosenberg, a soft-tossing lefty probably best suited for Triple-A work. The Twins first two batters, Andrew Stevenson and Donovan Solano, struck out. But Edouard Julien walked, Kyle Farmer singled and Michael A. Taylor walked to load the bases. Matt Wallner worked the count to 3-2 before flying out to end the frame. The Twins continued to put runners on base, but couldn't push anything across through the first three innings.

Gray cruised through three innings, getting a lot of called strikes on breaking pitches and keeping the Angels off balance. Jo Adell, the Angels center-fielder and a former top ten global prospect with prodigious raw power (that he has had trouble getting to thus far), absolutely crushed a Gray fastball into the bullpen to start the fourth. Gray quickly set down the next three batters, but all of a sudden the Twins were facing a deficit against Rosenberg.

Christian Vazquez got his second single of the game with one out in the fourth inning, and Trevor Larnach followed with a rocket to right-center. The ball died on the warning track, surprising the broadcast crew, and Jordan Luplow quickly popped out to end the frame. That sequence defined the Twins results against Rosenberg, who ultimately Dallas Keuchel'd his way through five scoreless innings.

The strength of this depleted Angels roster may be its relief pitching. Jimmy "The Human Glitch" Herget pitched a scoreless sixth, and flame-throwing rookie Ben Joyce pitched a quick seventh. Jose Soriano was bailed out by a tremendous defensive play from shortstop David Fletcher in the eighth. After Solano was hit by a pitch, Julien hit a 106 MPH smash up the middle that Fletcher somehow managed to glove and flip to second, almost behind his back. Julien was retired for the double play, still not running hard as he works through his hamstring issues.

Closer Carlos Estévez began the ninth inning by smoking Farmer on the elbow, but struck out Taylor and Wallner before getting Vazquez to fly out to end the game.

The good:
Kyle Farmer continues to blister the baseball, and with his second hit of the game in the third inning, made it on base in seven of eight plate appearances. He will be a key part of any Twins attack against a lefty in the playoffs, and if Carlos Correa and/or Royce Lewis are unavailable, he would slot in for either. He looks to be getting hot at the right time. For good measure, he gunned down Nolan Schanuel at the plate on a relay in the eighth to keep the score 1-0.

Gray was electric, allowing four hits while striking out eight. Outside of the one fastball to Adell, he looks ready to dominate in the playoffs.

The bad:
Donovan Solano has struggled of late, hitting .220 in September thus far. He started the game with a strikeout, ground out and double play grounder.

Jordan Luplow looked pretty rough at first base, with a misplay in the second resulting in a throwing error being charged to Solano.

What’s Next: Joe Ryan (10-10, 4.30 ERA) goes against Tyler Anderson (6-6, 5.43) as the Twins look to take the series against the Angels. It will be a good chance for Ryan to build confidence against a struggling lineup as he auditions for the number three slot in the postseason rotation. Anderson was a big offseason pickup for the Angels, coming off a sub 3.00 ERA season with the Dodgers. The ability is there, and he is a lefty, so the Twins will have to lock in to defeat him.

Postgame Interviews:

Bullpen Usage Chart:

	TUE	WED	THU	FRI	SAT	TOT
Winder	0	29	0	0	35	64
Durán	0	21	0	34	0	55
Thielbar	16	0	0	20	0	36
Funderburk	20	0	0	0	0	20
Pagán	8	0	0	0	10	18
Jax	0	17	0	0	0	17
Floro	16	0	0	0	1	17
Varland	0	0	0	11	0	11
Keuchel	0	0	0	0	0	0

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[BH67]

The only thing not clicking today was clutch hitting. Farmer gets two hits and throws out a runner at the plate. Gray looks fantastic save for one pitch, and the bullpen again keeps the Twins in it. And I admit knowing Taylor's penchant for winning hits that I thought he was going to walk it off in the 9th.

And that's what's so fun about these Twins now. Even when understaffed they're fighting and learning from the mistakes. I'm excited about October.

[ashbury]

Sonny Gray, this coming November: "In September you gave me Stevenson, Luplow, and Vazquez in the starting lineup with MAT as DH to rub it in.  Today I'm giving you my polite turndown of your Qualifying Offer." 

[mikelink45]

I can believe that Gray has to wonder why they don't want to win a game for him.  It is hard to believe but I have sympathy for a pitcher who has given us so much and got such poor results from the team.  

[Blyleven2011]

Why is it they can't score any runs when Sonny pitches  ... 

Sure hope the tables turn for him in the playoffs and the lineup can support him with runs ...

Sonny did a remarkable job pitching and staying healthy ...

Yes , Sonny will definitely turn down the qualifying offer  ...

[RpR]

 

The bad Wallner's strike out rate.

[wabene]

Sonny got his work in during the hangover game. Nothing to see here. Most likely Sonny appreciates the Twins for guiding him to his most innings pitched since 2015. To, along with 2019, his by far best season since 2015. He knows, in this contract year, that wins are irrelevant is his negotiations for a new contract. My guess is he does and always has wanted to test free agency in his first opportunity to do so. After earning 10 years of service time he definitely has put in the time. 

[Karbo]

What a slap in the face the Twins pulled Saturday. I understand getting guys some rest but really, all those guys not starting? At home, where your own fans pay good money to see them? Shame on the Twins!

[CRF]

Disappointed with the lineup Rocco put out there yesterday. Sonny deserved better. He's pitched great all season. 

[rv78]

Another loss at the hands of Rocco. And you say managers don't lose games? Evidently the 2nd seed in the playoffs isn't worth going for. 

[Karbo]

On Fan appreciation weekend sit 5 regulars! Now that shows just how much they appreciate their fans. IMHO they should refund at least half of the ticket price to all 30,000+ that bought tickets. Total B.S. to give up on the chase for 2nd spot. Sonny said all the right things, but I'll bet he is still fuming after pitching so well. I guess He'll be going anywhere but here this off season.

[wabene]

33 minutes ago, rv78 said:

Another loss at the hands of Rocco. And you say managers don't lose games? Evidently the 2nd seed in the playoffs isn't worth going for. 

Yes you are right, the 2nd seed isn't worth going for. Rest for the first round boys, these games mean absolutely nothing. 

[CoastiePilot08]

First and only game at Target Fieid this year (live in California). 
 

Bit of a bummer to watch that lineup in person. 
 

Even so, the weather held and it was a great day at the ballpark. 

[David Maro]

Love to been a fly on the wall in Rocco's office after that embarrassing showing. With that lineup against a AAA pitcher and get shutout. If Gray didn't give Rocco an ear full I would be surprised. I thought winning was important in any competition,just not in Rocco's world. With the West the way it is,might have a chance for 2nd seed. Not going to happen with this manager. Team is already down Correa and Lewis,so let's sit more players.

[rv78]

1 hour ago, wabene said:

Yes you are right, the 2nd seed isn't worth going for. Rest for the first round boys, these games mean absolutely nothing. 

That is where you are wrong. 2nd seed verses 3rd seed is meaningful. Enough to play for. I understand the importance of resting players IF they need it but you don't have to rest all of them in the same game. Rocco doesn't know how to manage to win as many games as possible or to entertain fans AT HOME with the best lineup possible. Along with that he has done nothing the last 2 years that Gray would or should be happy with. He's terrible.

[wabene]

18 minutes ago, rv78 said:

That is where you are wrong. 2nd seed verses 3rd seed is meaningful. Enough to play for. I understand the importance of resting players IF they need it but you don't have to rest all of them in the same game. Rocco doesn't know how to manage to win as many games as possible or to entertain fans AT HOME with the best lineup possible. Along with that he has done nothing the last 2 years that Gray would or should be happy with. He's terrible.

Yes they could've continued to fruitlessly grind on the roster, but the second seed wasn't happening. Thankfully those in charge knew that. The last couple of times this team limped into the playoffs, missing key players and pitching AAAA guys in Yankee Stadium. We have a chance to come into a home playoff series relatively healthy and rested. What is there to complain about? 

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, David Maro said:

I thought winning was important in any competition

They did win - on Friday night. The rest of these games are basically exhibition games now. Give everyone enough playing time to be fresh for the playoffs. No sense burning the whole team out chasing the 1% chance at the #2 seed only to fall short and be exhausted for round 1.

[stringer bell]

49 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

They did win - on Friday night. The rest of these games are basically exhibition games now. Give everyone enough playing time to be fresh for the playoffs. No sense burning the whole team out chasing the 1% chance at the #2 seed only to fall short and be exhausted for round 1.

I agree with this and will add that the club has to make active roster decisions, both with the position players and pitchers. Guys like Luplow, Stevenson and Larnach. Each player who has a position locked down probably has a plan for playing time. Solano has played more than he ever has and is 35, but also in a slump. Castro has played every day since returning from injury and may have been nicked on Friday night. Julien is dealing with a dodgy hamstring etc. etc.

[rv78]

1 hour ago, wabene said:

Yes they could've continued to fruitlessly grind on the roster, but the second seed wasn't happening. Thankfully those in charge knew that. The last couple of times this team limped into the playoffs, missing key players and pitching AAAA guys in Yankee Stadium. We have a chance to come into a home playoff series relatively healthy and rested. What is there to complain about? 

Before the Saturday games the Twins were 82-72 and Texas was 85-68. Texas had a 3.5 game lead for the 2nd seed with Minnesota  having 8 games to play. That was hardly "out of reach". Now it's a 4.5 game lead. You are right, it isn't happening. But the only reason why there isn't/wasn't a chance is because Rocco is at the helm. 

[Twins GFP]

All this talk of Gray being upset for the poor lineup yesterday is nonsense.

Gray is a veteran that knows the situation.  The games are less important right now. What is more important is that he continues to pitch well (stay sharp) and the lineup is rested and healthy for the playoffs.

The more I think about it, I am really at a loss with what Gray's plans are for this offseason.  Gray may test the FA market, but the Twins have found the formula to get the absolute best results from him while increasing his workload.  Undoubtedly the Twins will QO him, but I could easily see him back here even if he tests the market.

[wabene]

2 minutes ago, rv78 said:

Before the Saturday games the Twins were 82-72 and Texas was 85-68. Texas had a 3.5 game lead for the 2nd seed with Minnesota  having 8 games to play. That was hardly "out of reach". Now it's a 4.5 game lead. You are right, it isn't happening. But the only reason why there isn't/wasn't a chance is because Rocco is at the helm. 

Has Rocco gone rogue? C'mon man their odds for the number 2 seed before yesterday were single digits at best and Rocco did not make this decision alone. The Twins have a luxury the other teams don't have as they beat up on each other. The smart play is to take advantage of that luxury and get this team ready for the games that count.

[joefish]

MAT has looked "off" to me since his return. Not hitting the ball and not great in the field. Something is not quite right.

[JD-TWINS]

38 minutes ago, joefish said:

MAT has looked "off" to me since his return. Not hitting the ball and not great in the field. Something is not quite right.

I was at Cincinnati game in RF seats, Wednesday afternoon & the ball that was hit for a triple off the base of the wall v. Winder should have been caught by Taylor. It was waist high on the wall…..Taylor called off Kepler.

Not running real well since back. Does seem off. Swinging through a lot of pitches.

[JD-TWINS]

So resting guys - starting a lesser line-up, is not unusual. Not pinch hitting later in the game, after guys didn’t come through with bases loaded in first & second, was strange. Out of character for Baldelli.

The thing I was bothered by was when Farmer got hit to lead off the 9th & Taylor came up with no outs (with a bench full of potential pinch hitters) & he didn’t BUNT to get tying run to 2B with less than two outs. Why are we not playing for a tie at home???? It’s 1-0, if we tie, anything can happen. Go extras & we have a shot with a bit of momentum going to 10th.

Did not - do not understand!!

[stringer bell]

Taylor hasn’t performed exceptionally well since returning, but it seems more like a slump than a real injury. 

[stringer bell]

6 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

So resting guys - starting a lesser line-up, is not unusual. Not pinch hitting later in the game, after guys didn’t come through with bases loaded in first & second, was strange. Out of character for Baldelli.

The thing I was bothered by was when Farmer got hit to lead off the 9th & Taylor came up with no outs (with a bench full of potential pinch hitters) & he didn’t BUNT to get tying run to 2B with less than two outs. Why are we not playing for a tie at home???? It’s 1-0, if we tie, anything can happen. Go extras & we have a shot with a bit of momentum going to 10th.

Did not - do not understand!!

I would say 20 homers from Taylor is a rationale for letting him swing.