Make It Official! Twins 5, Angels 3: Bailey Ober Spearheads a 5th Straight Win

[Matt Braun]

Hope you stayed up for that. 

Image courtesy of © Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Box Score
SP: Bailey Ober: 7 1/3 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 K (96 pitches, 63 strikes, 12 whiffs)
Home Runs: Carlos Santana (2) 
Top 3 WPA: Bailey Ober (.317), Willi Castro (.086), Carlos Santana (.057)

Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

The Twins trekked West for their first seasonal foray into real late-night baseball. None of this evening crap; the final pitch is now guaranteed to come sometime after the bedtimes of all those under 40. Buckle up—and ingest your booze wisely.

The game jump-started to life thanks to an unexpected source: Carlos Santana. The man once dragged through the mud and slandered as a geezer lacking in the skills to succeed in a young man’s game deposited a changeup 425 feet out to centerfield, scoring the 1,000th run of his career. Something like 300 of those runs came against the Twins (the real total is 106).

Minnesota scored once more the following inning when Willi Castro and Byron Buxton teamed up to turn a pair of 0-2 singles into a run, thanks in part to Taylor Ward’s Ben Revere-esque arm strength in left field.

So summed up the curse of Angels’ starter Patrick Sandoval on Friday: he wasn’t bad—far from the standard badness that populates our mind and poisons our discourse—but his few mistakes compounded, turning what could have been a normal, solid start into the nondescript muck he walked away from. It wasn’t his fault Castro’s weird chopper turned into a rare double to left or that Santana poked a single beyond the drawn-in infield—only scoring a runner that existed because Jo Adell and Mike Trout couldn’t agree on who got to catch the ball, finally settling on neither man. Oh, and then Logan O’Hoppe whiffed on a passed ball. So it goes. 

All of this detailed and accentuated a brilliant start from Bailey Ober. He didn't do anything special. Ober has already proven himself a man of shocking understatement for such a figure. Rather, he democratically mixed up his pitches, attacked all parts of the zone, and coaxed weak contact and whiffs alike. The Angels had no answer. When the dust settled, Bailey casually walked away with a tie in his career-high for innings pitched, eight strikeouts, and two earned runs. He did walk three guys. Perhaps he felt bored and wanted to add some drama. 

Intrigue arrived for a time when Nolan Schanuel singled in a run off Matt Bowman; it soon died when the next two batters struck out looking.

Some drama ensued. Minnesota scored a fifth and final run. Rocco Baldelli sent Bowman out again as a sacrifice to save the bullpen. It almost worked. 35 pitches couldn't do it, so Caleb Thielbar entered to earn one measly out before the game could be properly stuffed away and counted as a win. He got it... eventually, earning his second career save in the process. 

Notes:

Bailey Ober pitched into the 8th inning for the first time since September 27th, 2022.

Willi Castro earned his first three-hit game since September 9th, 2023.

Austin Martin stole the first base of his major league career; he is 275 steals away from tying Chuck Knoblauch for the Twins' all-time record.

Byron Buxton is seven RBIs away from tying Shane Mack for 36th on Minnesota's RBI leaderboard. 

Post-Game Interviews

 

What’s Next?
The Twins and Angels play the second game of their series on Saturday, with a start time no less forgiving than Friday; first pitch is at 7:38 PM (8:38 pm central time!). Chris Paddack faces off against José Soriano. 

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

 

View full article

[VivaBomboRivera!]

Let's hope this is not just about re-balancing the record with a string of wins against cupcake teams.  If these games against AAAA clubs help Twins pitchers and hitters find their grooves, that could help them perform more successfully against competitive teams.

[RpR]

[Patzky]

I don't want to jinx anything but Carlos has some Zebop in his bat lately when he does make contact. Still plenty of whiff..

[Dave Borton]

Fresh writing. Thanks, Matt.

[FlyingFinn]

Nice to see Santana and Castro heating up. Bowman can be a little scary but he gets the job done in the end. He threw a lot of pitches. I wonder if that means he's gone when Duran comes back, assuming that's soon.

The Twins are winning games they are supposed to win. Some good teams even struggle with that. Keep it up!

[mikelink45]

I made it and stayed up.  So happy for Ober.  My lingering questions are - why is Margot batting third?  Why is Farmer in for Julien no matter where he is in the lineup?

Still happy for a win and five game winning streak.  Can we play the A's next?  Wait we go back to the Sox - love it. 

[Patzky]

6 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

I made it and stayed up.  So happy for Ober.  My lingering questions are - why is Margot batting third?  Why is Farmer in for Julien no matter where he is in the lineup?

Still happy for a win and five game winning streak.  Can we play the A's next?  Wait we go back to the Sox - love it. 

The results worked.. but Rocco took the platoon to an extreme against the lefty Sandoval Friday. Sat Larnach, Kepler, Julien, Kirilloff. We face a better lefty Sunday in Detmers.. it'll be interesting to see if he employs the same strategy. 

 

Yeah Farmer.. I got nothing. And Castro is thriving lately in the bottom of the order.

[CRF]

It was bed time for this Bonzo, so I didn't quite make it to the end, but a very nice win! Ober looks solid. Throw out his first start and he's great. Let's get another one tonight!

[Peter]

That was way to close intense and stressful in the 8th/9th innings bowman came through huge getting out of jam and Thielbar got it done to close it out. Huge win let’s get another one tonight and get to .500 go Twins!!!

[NotAboutWinning]

I know these games are against poor teams, but I am enjoying the offense. Some small ball, some home runs, even a steal or two. I hope it reprograms the hitting strategy and they can take it forward against good teams!

[LambchoP]

I still don't like Rocco sitting out best hitters, especially if it means putting Farmer and Margot out there for most of the night...

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Really enjoy watching Ober pitch. Great mix of pitches and he executes. Twins have a good one.

[jmlease1]

Ober was very good last night. no-hitter through 5! Great to see him get through 7 on a night when the bullpen needed some relief. He's a good pitcher and seems to be in a pretty good groove: only 11 hits and 4 runs allowed in his last 4 starts. And because I'm 13 at heart, his last 3 Game Scores have been: 69, 69, 69. lol

I'd still like to see the lineup generating some more free passes, but they're finding grass right now when they put the bat on the ball and they're not flailing away, so I'm ok with it. been some good baserunning in there too.

Bowman definitely wobbled out there; 3 walks is not getting it done, but against the Angels they got through it.

To quote the great Eppy Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh: "I looove winning, man! You know? Like, it beats losing?!?"

[stringer bell]

13 minutes ago, LambchoP said:

I still don't like Rocco sitting out best hitters, especially if it means putting Farmer and Margot out there for most of the night...

With an exception or two, major league rosters are put together so that all of the position players play at least as the short side of a platoon. @Riverbrian has pointed out repeatedly that this is certainly how the Twins are composed. Farmer and Margot are not minimum wage guys--they will play and right now neither (but especially Farmer) are contributing much. It wouldn't surprise me is Julien and Kepler are in the starting lineup tomorrow (Sunday) against a lefty, but it would surprise me if neither Margot and Farmer are not in the lineup.

Maybe what we should be looking for is pinch hitting for the younger left handed players. When a left handed reliever comes in for the Angels today (Saturday) or for the White Sox next week, will there be pinch hitters for Julien, Larnach, Kirilloff and Kepler? That is where I hope progress is made in the immediate future. If any of these guys succeed against lefty relievers, I think their chances for getting more starts against left handers in the future are enhanced. So far, Julien has done very well, but the sample size is still really small.

[LastOnePicked]

Every win while Correa and Lewis are out of the lineup is important. If this team can hover around/above .500 until June, then I might have to soften my stance about the season being over.

[JD-TWINS]

1 hour ago, Patzky said:

The results worked.. but Rocco took the platoon to an extreme against the lefty Sandoval Friday. Sat Larnach, Kepler, Julien, Kirilloff. We face a better lefty Sunday in Detmers.. it'll be interesting to see if he employs the same strategy. 

 

Yeah Farmer.. I got nothing. And Castro is thriving lately in the bottom of the order.

He will bat RH hitters v. LH pitching all year. For everyone, no reason to wonder, it’s why 3-4 of the guys are on the roster - to bat against LH pitching & be depth defenders.

Castro & Santana are the guys that are listed above for WPA - nice shift from the norm!

Vazquez was framing up some pitches wide of the Zone for strikes. Threw out Mike Trout. Base hit. The shift to a more balanced squad is taking place.

[JD-TWINS]

14 minutes ago, LambchoP said:

I still don't like Rocco sitting out best hitters, especially if it means putting Farmer and Margot out there for most of the night...

Probably don’t like seeing Castro - Santana - Vazquez being penciled in either? One threw out Trout stealing and they had 6 hits between them. Can’t break out of a slump w/o at bats.

Without Lewis & Correa they have a weaker RH platoon squad, no doubt, so somebody’s gotta hit 3rd.  2nd - 3rd - 6th, Margot’s still in there.

[JD-TWINS]

I get TD is for debate - discourse - opinions. I really like reading and adding my point of view  on stuff that interests me.

The negativity every day makes me smile. I think it would be cool to win every game but 55% is really good in MLB. Guys hitting well week after week for 26 weeks would be nice. Baseball is a daily grind for players and for most reading TD daily.

The Twins play the same teams as Detroit - K.C. etc. - we have won 5 straight and guys are starting to contribute on a more balanced level. Makes me happy, not skeptical…..,,,Last year I wanted Kepler DFA’d and typed it here a few times. By September 1st I had the utmost respect for him! I’m just as grumpy about lack of production as anyone. Kepler was 1-20 prior to IL stint & since his return I believe he has 4 AB’s yielding 2 out hits for RBI. Things can turn around……it’s still April.

OBER - 8 Earned in 1 1/3 in his opener …….,, 4 starts since, his ERA in those is 1.46. I really like his demeanor & his pitch mix too.

Ryan & Lopez over the weekend - a real shot to take a road series. Always good!

[JDubs]

Hard to draw too many conclusion from playing the clown car franchises, but you play the schedule as it's written and wins against bad teams count the same. We all knew the Twins had to come into this stretch and make up ground and they're doing exactly that. Here's hoping some AAAA competition gets our guys into a groove and gets them some confidence back so they're ready for when the page turns to competent competition.

[Karbo]

They dodged a bullet with Bowman trying to close out the game. Rocco still doesn't manage the pen well. Either Jax or Stewart should have sat on Thur. to be available Fri. Perhaps trying to set up a little more of a structured pen would help. Of course with the injuries that would be more difficult. Sounds like Duran should be back soon anyway.

[JD-TWINS]

3 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

I get TD is for debate - discourse - opinions. I really like reading and adding my point of view  on stuff that interests me.

The negativity every day makes me smile. I think it would be cool to win every game but 55% is really good in MLB. Guys hitting well week after week for 26 weeks would be nice. Baseball is a daily grind for players and for most reading TD daily.

The Twins play the same teams as Detroit - K.C. etc. - we have won 5 straight and guys are starting to contribute on a more balanced level. Makes me happy, not skeptical…..,,,Last year I wanted Kepler DFA’d and typed it here a few times. By September 1st I had the utmost respect for him! I’m just as grumpy about lack of production as anyone. Kepler was 1-20 prior to IL stint & since his return I believe he has 4 AB’s yielding 2 out hits for RBI. Things can turn around……it’s still April.

OBER - 8 Earned in 1 1/3 in his opener …….,, 4 starts since, his ERA in those is 1.46. I really like his demeanor & his pitch mix too.

Ryan & Lopez over the weekend - a real shot to take a road series. Always good!

Whoops PADDACK & Lopez…….still, hope to get at least one to take the series.

[arby58]

49 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Maybe what we should be looking for is pinch hitting for the younger left handed players. When a left handed reliever comes in for the Angels today (Saturday) or for the White Sox next week, will there be pinch hitters for Julien, Larnach, Kirilloff and Kepler? That is where I hope progress is made in the immediate future. If any of these guys succeed against lefty relievers, I think their chances for getting more starts against left handers in the future are enhanced. So far, Julien has done very well, but the sample size is still really small.

That's exactly what happened last night, when Julien pinch hit for Farmer in the 7th and Kepler for Margot in the 8th.

[mnfireman]

1 hour ago, NotAboutWinning said:

I know these games are against poor teams, but I am enjoying the offense. Some small ball, some home runs, even a steal or two. I hope it reprograms the hitting strategy and they can take it forward against good teams!

Last 15 days, 14 games.

[stringer bell]

30 minutes ago, Karbo said:

They dodged a bullet with Bowman trying to close out the game. Rocco still doesn't manage the pen well. Either Jax or Stewart should have sat on Thur. to be available Fri. Perhaps trying to set up a little more of a structured pen would help. Of course with the injuries that would be more difficult. Sounds like Duran should be back soon anyway.

You take the wins when you can get them. Rocco felt he needed Jax/Stewart on Wednesday and Thursday (I agree) and the team got the win with both guys down last night. Bowman didn't build my confidence with his outing. You just can't walk guys with a three-run lead. A couple of floaters came right in the middle of the strike zone, but he kept the lead. Thielbar was probably the best option to relieve Bowman, but he's not sharp yet--his pitch to Neto was too hittable--but he got Trout to end the game. 

Jax and Stewart should be good to go today and tomorrow and Durán should be back at least by the time the team returns home. Having more depth at the back end (Durán and Topa) will take considerable pressure off Jax and Stewart.

[karcherd]

We have no idea if Topa will contribute or not.  He has had one good year so we have to wait and see what he will contribute.  Remember we also have a reliever in St. Paul that contributed very well but hey we need to keep the underperforming vets instead.  And Funderburke will be the next one sent down.

[jmlease1]

1 hour ago, JD-TWINS said:

Vazquez was framing up some pitches wide of the Zone for strikes. Threw out Mike Trout. Base hit. The shift to a more balanced squad is taking place.

I thought the plate ump was poor last night, it just happened to work out well for the Twins. I mean, i guess he was at least consistent at calling pitches 4-6 inches off the plate on one side strikes? I don't know how much credit Vazquez should get for "framing" those, but it was one of those games. But I dislike it when obvious balls are called strikes even when it rings up a K for the Twins.

[JD-TWINS]

21 minutes ago, karcherd said:

We have no idea if Topa will contribute or not.  He has had one good year so we have to wait and see what he will contribute.  Remember we also have a reliever in St. Paul that contributed very well but hey we need to keep the underperforming vets instead.  And Funderburke will be the next one sent down.

I get Funderburk is the youngest - he’s also nearly unhitable since he came up last year. To be more clear, he doesn’t give up many runs!

Bowman has gotten a chance to show his capabilities to the rest of MLB. ……I think he gets DFA’d for Duran or at least Topa in next couple weeks. Somebody will immediately scoop him up.

Alcala will potentially need a spot at some point as well.

Okert - Funderburk - Sands - Topa - Stewart - Jax - Duran - Thielbar or Alcala seems to be the top group.

[wabene]

Seems like the twins have been getting the calls against Chicago and again last night in LA. The strikeouts have been down and it's nice to watch the other team stand there and watch strike three with the bat on their shoulder for a change. You make your own luck, right? 

Vazquez has been a valuable member of the catching duo. Sure Jeffer's great bat makes his pale in comparison, but Vazquez has contributed some key outs in tight games while handling his duties well. He may be overpaid for a number 2, but I just pretend Jeffers is the one getting paid 10m. Works for me.

[stringer bell]

24 minutes ago, karcherd said:

We have no idea if Topa will contribute or not.  He has had one good year so we have to wait and see what he will contribute.  Remember we also have a reliever in St. Paul that contributed very well but hey we need to keep the underperforming vets instead.  And Funderburke will be the next one sent down.

I, for one don't trust Alcalá yet. He's got good stuff, but he's never been that good and really vulnerable to long balls, especially to left handed hitters. Topa was really good last season, no that doesn't guarantee anything, but it's a better clue than eight or nine innings to start the season. Jorge López started 2023 with six or seven good appearances before it all went south.