Make It Official! Twins 11, Mariners 1: Scoring Runs Early and Often on Pablo Day

[Seth Stohs]

It's fair to say that Manuel Margot needed a day like Thursday. The utility outfielder has struggled this season - no denying that - but he came up with a huge hit early in the game that set the tone for yet another Twins win against the terrific pitching staff of the Mariners. 

Image courtesy of © Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Box Score 
SP: Pablo Lopez - 6.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 10 K (100 pitches, 61 strikes (61.0%), 15 whiffs)
Home Runs: Max Kepler (3), Ryan Jeffers (8)  
Top 3 WPA: Manuel Margot (.185), Pablo Lopez (.096), Max Kepler (0.70) 

Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

Twins Score Early…  
There is nothing like getting some early offense! Start the game out well. Give your pitcher some breathing room. And honestly, when you’re playing a get-away day afternoon game, it might just be more important. 

On Thursday, the Twins did just that. Just as important, it was nice to see some of the players who have really struggled of late contribute right away. 

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Edouard Julien has been in a big slump, but he led off the bottom of the first inning with a walk. He stole second. After a pop-out, Trevor Larnach lined a single to center that pushed Julien to third. Max Kepler came up and lined a single to right field that drove in Julien with the first run. Jose Miranda bled a shallow single to center that loaded the bases. Willi Castro flew out. 

However, Manuel Margot came up and picked up his teammate in nearly-grand style. He cleared the bases with a double to make it 4-0. 

Margot has been the subject of much scrutiny early this season since he has not hit or played the kind of defense I’d think the Twins expected. Coming into the game, he was hitting just .164/.240/.224 (.464) with one double and one home run in 75 plate appearances. Since April 16, he had played in 18 games, and he had a hit in just three of those games. Over that stretch, he was just 4-for-33 (.121). Whether you want to look at any of the slash-line stats, WPA, anything, it has not been good. 

Granted, it’s not like the slump is over. In the game, that was his only hit in four at-bats. So instead of being in a 4-for-33 slump, he’s in a 5-for-37 (.135). But he was productive and can feel good about helping the team win on Thursday. He had five RBI in the game. 

Carlos Santana followed with an RBI single and the Twins had a 5-0 lead. 

… And Often  
Over the past couple of seasons, the Twins have had several big innings early and then did little with the bat after that. However, in this game, they kept adding on. 

They scored one run in the second inning. They added two runs in the fourth and another in the fifth. They then scored two more runs in the seventh inning.

Max Kepler continues to rank. He went 2-for-4 with a long home run in the seventh inning. 

Jose Miranda went 2-for-4 with a double and three runs scored. He’s been playing well again. Clearly he’s healthy and he’s regained not only his confidence, but a little more selective eye at the plate. 

Carlos Santana went 2-for-4 in the game. Santana had a very nice run late in April that really sparked the Twins during the early parts of their long winning streak, but he has struggled of late. On Wednesday night, he wasn’t in the starting lineup for just the second time this season. Both times, he has entered the game late. However, in seven May games, he was just 3-for-21 coming into this game. 

Ryan Jeffers went 1-for-2 with a walk, was hit by a pitch and his eighth homer of the season.  

Pablo Day!
Concerns about Pablo Lopez’s April seem to now be well on the backburner as he was fantastic again on Thursday. He had 10 strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.

It was his second start on Pablo Day since its recent introduction. In those two starts, he has given up two runs on nine hits in 12 1/3 innings. He has walked one and struck out 18 batters.  

He has always been a guy who uses his various pitches, but in this game, he really mixed it up well. Of his 100 pitches, he threw 26 four-seam fastballs, 25 changeups, 17 sweepers, 17 curveballs, and 15 sinkers. That is a pretty good way of keeping the opposition off balanced. He did so while being incredibly consistent with his release point. He had really good spin on each of his pitches which helped create a lot of movement. So, not only did he had 15 whiffs in the game, but he gave up very little hard contact. 

Team Defense
Now this is how teammates work together on defense. 

What’s Next? 
The Twins will head to Canada and take on the Blue Jays for three games. Think anyone will show up to watch Edouard Julien?  

Fri 6:07 pm: RHP Joe Ryan (1-2, 3.54 ERA) vs LHP Yusei Kikuchi (2-2, 2.72 ERA)
Sat 2:07 pm: RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (1-0, 1.74 ERA) vs RHP Kevin Gausman (2-3, 3.78 ERA)
Sun 12:37 pm: RHP Bailey Ober (3-1, 4.42 ERA) vs RHP Alek Manoah (0-0, 13.50 ERA) 

The Twins will get a day off on Monday before coming back to Target Field.  

Postgame Interviews

	SUN	MON	TUE	WED	THU	TOT
Funderburk	42	0	0	0	27	69
Jax	0	31	0	26	0	57
Jackson	35	0	17	0	0	52
Staumont	14	0	0	0	26	40
Durán	0	12	0	18	0	30
Thielbar	0	13	0	14	0	27
Okert	0	0	19	0	0	19
Sands	0	0	13	0	0	13

View full article

[FlyingFinn]

After a horrid start, the hitters are doing great and the Mariners staff isn't the White Sox or Angels. Probably time to give the hitting coaches some credit for this turnaround.

[UK Twin]

Well that couldn't have gone any better. Correa rested, jump on Gilbert early, Lopez cruises through 6+ innings, blow out game, big bullpen arms rested. 

Lots of great at bats today and good to see everyone contributing.

[BH67]

The Minneapolis Sound ostensibly originated at the First Avenue nightclub. Two of the club's neighbors -- hoops and baseball -- are adding compelling harmonies this spring. Play on.

[USAFChief]

7-13 when we woke up Monday, April 22.

22-15 as we go to sleep tonight, May 9.

As JMLease put it, "Baseball is a funny game."

[DocBauer]

Wow! 

Lopez dominate. The bats just keep producing. Funderburk wild but still punched out 2 and continues to show he's got a future. Nice to see Staumont back on the mound and K-ing the side, even if he was also a bit wild. (Still don't like Alcala being over used, and then sent down. If the Twins don't want to use him for 1 good inning at a time, I'm sure someone else would be glad to do so).

Margot showing signs of actual life??!! Didn't Santana go on his homer binge right after an OP about sticking with him or cutting him loose, and how long of a rope did he have? And now Margot does the same thing right after a similar article? Who do we want to hammer next?   LOL! Who needs a turnaround most?

Twelve in a row, a loss, and then wins in 4 of the next 5. Seattle and Boston aren't bad teams devoid of talent. While they still aren't firing on all cylinders yet, this Twins team is starting to look like the one I envisioned before the season started. Lewis, Buxton, and Stewart back in the near future...hopefully Wallner as well...and my personal picture will be almost complete. 

Now let's go beat up on the Jay's!

[CCHOF5yearstoolate]

1 hour ago, DocBauer said:

Wow! 

Lopez dominate. The bats just keep producing. Funderburk wild but still punched out 2 and continues to show he's got a future. Nice to see Staumont back on the mound and K-ing the side, even if he was also a bit wild. (Still don't like Alcala being over used, and then sent down. If the Twins don't want to use him for 1 good inning at a time, I'm sure someone else would be glad to do so).

Margot showing signs of actual life??!! Didn't Santana go on his homer binge right after an OP about sticking with him or cutting him loose, and how long of a rope did he have? And now Margot does the same thing right after a similar article? Who do we want to hammer next?   LOL! Who needs a turnaround most?

Twelve in a row, a loss, and then wins in 4 of the next 5. Seattle and Boston aren't bad teams devoid of talent. While they still aren't firing on all cylinders yet, this Twins team is starting to look like the one I envisioned before the season started. Lewis, Buxton, and Stewart back in the near future...hopefully Wallner as well...and my personal picture will be almost complete. 

Now let's go beat up on the Jay's!

So much room for activities!

[Schmoeman5]

OK. I'll admit I'm goofy. I tell my wife every day is her birthday. Tying that into this. Today was Pablo Day. Let's hope the Twins can make every game a Pablo Day. Or a Correa give a bat to a young fan day. Or hell, sausage day. Whatever it takes. Let's keep the MOJO going. They still need to clean up some things defensively.  But hey. They're on fire. On to Toronto. 

[jmlease1]

almost an ideal win: no need to pull anyone in from the back of the bullpen, plenty of runway for Funderburk and Staumont to get some time in and a load of runs.

Kepler & Miranda have been great, and Jeffers is having a heck of a year.

Let's go to Boston and win that series too!

[Schmoeman5]

OK. 

[CCHOF5yearstoolate]

How far we are from April 17th!

[Doctor Gast]

Everyone did well on "Pablo Day" especially Pablo. I was impressed by Miranda being an all-around player. We should have swept probably the best rotation in baseball. Great way to start our series with Toronto with a rested BP.

[Schmoeman5]

18 minutes ago, CCHOF5yearstoolate said:

How far we are from April 17th!

22 days I think

[Doctor Gast]

45 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

After a horrid start, the hitters are doing great and the Mariners staff isn't the White Sox or Angels. Probably time to give the hitting coaches some credit for this turnaround.

A month ago the fans were asking for the coach's heads. The coaches can't do anything if the approach is wrong. Once the approach was corrected we saw a quick turn around. But you're right that the coaches need credit for incorporating the new approach so quickly.

[darwin22]

Wow!  Missed the game as I took advantage of the nice weather here in KC.  Have to admit I was shocked by the final result!

Margot with 5 RBI??  Margot?  Huge bases clearing double with 2 outs in the 1st inning.  Maybe a start to better times for him, which we need.

How did Staumont look in the 9th?  I'm guessing his command was off as he needed 26 pitches to get through the inning.

He could be a key piece in the bullpen with Stewart on the IL and Topa still trying to get ready at SP.

 

[Riverbrian]

Wasn't at today's Pablo Day but I was there on Saturday. 

It's really one hell of a deal. 

$59 Bucks for the ticket and the Jersey and the Jersey is worth the price alone.  

I will proudly wear that Yellow Jersey in my normal life. 

[terrydactyls]

Why do so many responders think the Twins are going to Boston?  Their next trip to Fenway is late September.

[Patzky]

Need a hero? Take a hero. Have a hero? Leave a hero.

 

So many hands in this W while the hottest hands continue to rake and throw. I hope 47 puts on a show for his friends in Canada this weekend!

[Whitey333]

Nice game.  Well written article as normal Seth.  Thank you.

[Jocko87]

45 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Wasn't at today's Pablo Day but I was there on Saturday. 

It's really one hell of a deal. 

$59 Bucks for the ticket and the Jersey and the Jersey is worth the price alone.  

I will proudly wear that Yellow Jersey in my normal life. 

In Royce's interview he made a remark about the Pablo jersey "nice stitching too" or something like that.  I may have heard a dig at fanatics that wasn't there but I chuckled.  Can you confirm the non-fanatics quality?

[Shaitan]

What happened with the Jeffers HBP? I'm curious, given when it came in the game.

I found it odd that the Twins challenged a tag play late in a blowout shortly before that.

[Riverbrian]

29 minutes ago, Jocko87 said:

In Royce's interview he made a remark about the Pablo jersey "nice stitching too" or something like that.  I may have heard a dig at fanatics that wasn't there but I chuckled.  Can you confirm the non-fanatics quality?

Better than Fanatics

[wabene]

3 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

Wasn't at today's Pablo Day but I was there on Saturday. 

It's really one hell of a deal. 

$59 Bucks for the ticket and the Jersey and the Jersey is worth the price alone.  

I will proudly wear that Yellow Jersey in my "NORMAL"  life. 

FTFY

[bean5302]

Lots of praise for Lopez, but he didn't look sharp to me. He got outs he needed, and the Mariners couldn't string anything together, but a lot of that appeared to be luck based. Also not a fan of bringing Funderburk back out for the second inning again as he just doesn't seem to be cut out for going back to the mound after a break in the action. I don't have a great angle on home plate pitches, but it seems like Jeffers could have caught more than half the pitches after the 6th inning with his glove rather than letting them all bounce off the backstop to get it done, but it's hard to be terribly critical with the way he's been hitting.

Jeffers just continues to crush baseballs, and while his xwOBA swears he's getting extremely lucky, it's his K rate which is most impressive to me. It's nothing like it used to be. Jeffers is only striking out in 17.5% of plate appearances this year. For a guy who has a career K rate near 30%, it's certainly eye opening.

This team just always seems to have a spark waiting to happen. That catch by Correa off Miranda's glove was really fun to watch. Talk about awareness and concentration!

[Jocko87]

29 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

Lots of praise for Lopez, but he didn't look sharp to me. He got outs he needed, and the Mariners couldn't string anything together, but a lot of that appeared to be luck based.

Hard to string anything together when you only hit two balls over 100 mph, one which was 59 degree launch angle with a .010 xBa.

[CCHOF5yearstoolate]

32 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

Lots of praise for Lopez, but he didn't look sharp to me. He got outs he needed, and the Mariners couldn't string anything together, but a lot of that appeared to be luck based. 

If anything he probably got unlucky with that Martin misplay leading to his only earned run on the day. 

He had a .187 xBA and a .217 xSLG on the contact he gave up today. No barrels, lowest hard hit % and average exit velocity of the season. And a 40% whiff rate to go along with the 10 strikeouts - his 19 whiffs tied for the 27th most of any start in baseball this season. 

[wabene]

53 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

Lots of praise for Lopez, but he didn't look sharp to me. He got outs he needed, and the Mariners couldn't string anything together, but a lot of that appeared to be luck based. Also not a fan of bringing Funderburk back out for the second inning again as he just doesn't seem to be cut out for going back to the mound after a break in the action. I don't have a great angle on home plate pitches, but it seems like Jeffers could have caught more than half the pitches after the 6th inning with his glove rather than letting them all bounce off the backstop to get it done, but it's hard to be terribly critical with the way he's been hitting.

Jeffers just continues to crush baseballs, and while his xwOBA swears he's getting extremely lucky, it's his K rate which is most impressive to me. It's nothing like it used to be. Jeffers is only striking out in 17.5% of plate appearances this year. For a guy who has a career K rate near 30%, it's certainly eye opening.

This team just always seems to have a spark waiting to happen. That catch by Correa(Castro) off Miranda's glove was really fun to watch. Talk about awareness and concentration!

FTFY

[USAFChief]

47 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

Lots of praise for Lopez, but he didn't look sharp to me. He got outs he needed, and the Mariners couldn't string anything together, but a lot of that appeared to be luck based. Also not a fan of bringing Funderburk back out for the second inning again as he just doesn't seem to be cut out for going back to the mound after a break in the action. I don't have a great angle on home plate pitches, but it seems like Jeffers could have caught more than half the pitches after the 6th inning with his glove rather than letting them all bounce off the backstop to get it done, but it's hard to be terribly critical with the way he's been hitting.

Jeffers just continues to crush baseballs, and while his xwOBA swears he's getting extremely lucky, it's his K rate which is most impressive to me. It's nothing like it used to be. Jeffers is only striking out in 17.5% of plate appearances this year. For a guy who has a career K rate near 30%, it's certainly eye opening.

This team just always seems to have a spark waiting to happen. That catch by Correa off Miranda's glove was really fun to watch. Talk about awareness and concentration!

?

The only thing I'd consider lucky about Lopez today was Seattle's luck on the only run they got off Lopez. That run happened because Martin can't catch a popup. Lopez looked pretty outstanding to me.

Also, Correa had the day off today.

 

[minman1982]

Off to Toronto for three, then back to Target Field to host the Yankees for three, and then off to Cleveland for three. The next ten days should tell us a lot about who the Twins really are. I would be happy with the Twins going 6-3 over that stretch but would be okay with 5-4.

[IaBeanCounter]

Great game.  CWS just beat Cle.  They are playing over .500 since the Twins' last sweep.