Rangers 6, Twins 2: Seager Goes Off as Rangers Avoid Sweep

[Hans Birkeland]

Riding a four-game winning streak after stealing Saturday's game late, the Twins couldn't stretch that string through the weekend. Pablo López was shelled, with Rangers slugger Corey Seager leading the charge.

Image courtesy of © Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports

Box Score:
Starting Pitcher: Pablo López: 4 2/3 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 1 BB, 6 K (92 Pitches, 60 Strikes, 65.2%)
Home Runs: None
Bottom 3 WPA: López (-.265), Edouard Julien (-.077), José Miranda (-.069)
Win Probability Chart (Via Fangraphs):

The vibes were good after Saturday's come-from-behind victory over the defending champion Rangers. The winning streak had reached four, and today's pitching matchup certainly favored the Twins, as staff ace Pablo López faced career minor-leaguer Gerson Garabito, who was making his major-league debut. Could they complete the sweep and establish positive momentum going into a series with the surprisingly good Royals?

López started strong, striking out Corey Seager and Adolis Garcia in the first on elevated fastballs; the one to Garcia registered 96 MPH. He then pitched a 1-2-3 second, with another strikeout added in.

Things shifted in the third. After two fairly easy outs, Lopez battled with leadoff hitter Marcus Semien, an eight-pitch at-bat that resulted in a walk. That brought up Seager, who demolished a López curveball (to the tune of a 109-MPH exit velocity) to make the score 2-0. Seager has been hot since his brutal start to the season (.631 OPS in April), and he would not be done.

López's fourth inning was even worse, his changeup being hit particularly hard. Following a hit-by-pitch to García, López allowed two sharp singles and a double en route to the Rangers doubling their lead. Home runs gave way to a series of base hits last outing, as well.

Garabito looked decent early, flashing a plus slider and working around some shaky command to put up a couple of zeroes. He walked three through his first three innings, but did not allow a hit, with no Twin able to register an exit velocity 100 MPH or greater. Carlos Correa and Max Kepler changed that storyline quickly to start the fourth, with Correa singling and Kepler nearly homering (18/30 ballparks) to make the game 4-1.

After two outs, Garabito walked Carlos Santana, and his day was done. Normally, getting into a weak Texas bullpen in the fourth inning would be considered a good sign, but Jonathan Hernandez retired the slumping Edouard Julien to end the threat.

Seager rendered Kepler's double meaningless by jumping on López's first pitch to start the fifth and launching it into the right-field pavilion. A double and two outs later, López was done. He did not get a single whiff on non-fastballs all afternoon.

The Twins attempted to mount rallies against the underbelly of Texas's struggling bullpen, but managed only a run before José Leclerc was brought in. Leclerc has struggled this year, but was nails in the playoffs last year, and his slider remains elite. He pitched the final 2 1/3 innings to seal the win.

The Good:
-Kepler and Correa are doing damage in the middle of the order right now, putting up quality at-bats and not missing their pitch.
-Bullpen whipping boy Jorge Alcalá threw well, his slider looking sharp at 92 MPH and his fastball reaching 99 MPH. Seems like a weapon to me, but what do I know?
-Josh Staumont struck out Seager with a 98-MPH sinker. Maybe there have been advances in Thoracic Outlet Surgery, because generally, velocity and command do not return to those who have undergone the procedure. Staumont never had much command, so if his velo is back, his signing is a steal for the Twins, who have him under team control for two years after this one.

The Bad:
-López needs to be perfect with his fastball command if his secondaries are going to be as hittable as they were today. The Twins also may want to review film to see if he is tipping his non-fastballs.
-Julien is scuffling badly, striking out in the zone, or rolling over and hitting grounders to the right side. It may be time to let him work through these struggles in the minors, with Miranda hitting well, and Royce Lewis (as well as Brooks Lee) on the mend.
-Miranda made errors in consecutive innings, neither of them particularly pretty.

What’s Next: Joe Ryan (3-3, 3.15 ERA) goes against Alec Marsh (4-1, 2.74 ERA) as the Twins open a four game series against a confident Royals squad, currently at 14 games above .500. Marsh was a second round pick of the Royals, and never had good minor league numbers, but nonetheless represents a developmental success story for a team with very few of those.

Postgame Interviews:

Coming Soon

Bullpen Usage Chart:

	WED	THU	FRI	SAT	SUN	TOT
Thielbar	15	0	12	0	0	27
Jax	6	0	10	0	0	16
Durán	15	0	15	8	0	38
Okert	14	0	5	0	0	19
Staumont	0	0	0	0	19	19
Funderburk	14	0	0	25	19	58
Alcalá	0	0	0	0	38	38
Sands	0	0	0	22	0	22

 

 

 

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[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Frustrating loss. Pablo hasn't been sharp of late and Seager is the one guy you can't let beat you.

[bean5302]

Taking 2 of 3 from the defending World Series Champions is fine in my book. The recent discussions about whether or not the pitch calling comes from the dugout makes me wonder. If a pitcher just doesn't have a good feel for their pitch and Rocco's spreadsheet says he's supposed to throw it, what happens? Does the pitcher have to throw junk because the spreadsheet says to? Just a random thought. I DON'T have compelling evidence that's really the way it works. It would just be so stupid I refuse to believe it.

Also, I think we can officially put the "Pablo Lopez! Cy Young Favorite" stuff to bed for this year again.

In any case, I can't put the blame on Lopez alone. The Twins aren't going to win many games scoring 2 runs anyway. I was at the game. Nice attendance, and the crowd was pretty energetic for the stuff the Twins actually did which was exciting. I attended with a friend and their young kids. Very different experience, very little game watching opportunity, haha.

[FilthyMogwai]

Awesome - Pablo Lopez is just trash now.  Fantastic.  Along with Correa not living up to his contract and Buxton being bad/injured - this is really great!  

[D.C Twins]

I haven't seen Pablo pitch this year.... For those who have...

Is this a velocity issue, command, control, pitch mix, movement.... all of the above?

Something is not going well and... Make It Official!.... this is definitely a worrying trend.

[D.C Twins]

If Kepler keeps this up.... 

we give him a qualifying offer and get a nice draft pick when someone else signs him in free agency...right?

With out OF prospect pipeline... I'm OK letting him go. 

[D.C Twins]

16 minutes ago, FilthyMogwai said:

Awesome - Pablo Lopez is just trash now.  Fantastic.  Along with Correa not living up to his contract and Buxton being bad/injured - this is really great!  

Chill-ax!  Correa has been solid this year and Buxton is heating up.... let's see where they are at after the full season. 

[Parfigliano]

2 hours ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

Frustrating loss. Pablo hasn't been sharp of late and Seager is the one guy you can't let beat you.

I think you mean almost every game.

[tony&rodney]

1 hour ago, bean5302 said:

The recent discussions about whether or not the pitch calling comes from the dugout makes me wonder. If a pitcher just doesn't have a good feel for their pitch and Rocco's spreadsheet says he's supposed to throw it, what happens? Does the pitcher have to throw junk because the spreadsheet says to? Just a random thought. I have compelling evidence that's really the way it works. It would just be so stupid I refuse to believe it.

This seems crazy. Pitchers (Pablo) would throw a pitch they absolutely did not want to throw because that is what is called? I have to think Scherzer looks in and thinks WTF, I'm going to throw my pitch and let the catcher figure it out.

[wabene]

1 hour ago, FilthyMogwai said:

Awesome - Pablo Lopez is just trash now.  Fantastic.  Along with Correa not living up to his contract and Buxton being bad/injured - this is really great!  

Hey yo don't do Pablo dirty, Filth.

[BH67]

1 hour ago, D.C Twins said:

I haven't seen Pablo pitch this year.... For those who have...

Is this a velocity issue, command, control, pitch mix, movement.... all of the above?

Something is not going well and... Make It Official!.... this is definitely a worrying trend.

If this was a second consecutive home-run-followed-by-hard-base-hits game for Lopez, and he's physically healthy, a lack of confidence under pressure may also be a factor. I don't think that lasts for long if so,

Or, he's obviously "just trash now." Yeah, that's the ticket.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

After the clunker in Washington, I was expecting a better performance today. Pablo is still a very good pitcher but he's in a slump, a bad one at that. Twins need him to get back on track because the Guardians and Royals aren't slowing down. 

[RpR]

56 minutes ago, BH67 said:

If this was a second consecutive home-run-followed-by-hard-base-hits game for Lopez, and he's physically healthy, a lack of confidence under pressure may also be a factor. I don't think that lasts for long if so,

Or, he's obviously "just trash now." Yeah, that's the ticket.

Why do near all the Twins stink as often as they look good?

[thelanges5]

Kepler and Correa with the only hits today. Wake up offense!

[BH67]

5 minutes ago, RpR said:

Why do near all the Twins stink as often as they look good?

Axe body spray. It doesn't work.

[bean5302]

2 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

This seems crazy. Pitchers (Pablo) would throw a pitch they absolutely did not want to throw because that is what is called? I have to think Scherzer looks in and thinks WTF, I'm going to throw my pitch and let the catcher figure it out.

Scherzer seems like a bull in a china shop based on his reported temper tantrums and lack of professional conduct at the last CBA meetings. I'd expect he probably does things his way. I'd hope veteran pitchers do the same and give Baldelli two fingers from the mound if he's actually calling the pitches.

[Schmoeman5]

3 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

This seems crazy. Pitchers (Pablo) would throw a pitch they absolutely did not want to throw because that is what is called? I have to think Scherzer looks in and thinks WTF, I'm going to throw my pitch and let the catcher figure it out.

Don't remember the hitter or inning, but Pablo shook off twice in a row for 1 batter.

[Blyleven2011]

It's been a tough stretch for Pablo ,  we expect he will pitch better  , let's wait and see ...

The twins still have no real identity  , they win 12 , lose 7 , win 4 ...

We now play royals , let's play good ball , today's loss was not good  , consistently is all we ask for ...

I would take a 81 -81 season every year if they would play exciting consistent baseball  ...

[Doctor Wu]

12 hours ago, bean5302 said:

The Twins aren't going to win many games scoring 2 runs

... and only 3 hits. Ugh!

[Doctor Wu]

In recent years, an upcoming series against Kansas City would be cause for optimism, but not so this year. Royals are playing very well, and the Twins are still riding a rollercoaster. 

[Doctor Gast]

6 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

It's been a tough stretch for Pablo ,  we expect he will pitch better  , let's wait and see ...

The twins still have no real identity  , they win 12 , lose 7 , win 4 ...

We now play royals , let's play good ball , today's loss was not good  , consistently is all we ask for ...

I would take a 81 -81 season every year if they would play exciting consistent baseball  ...

With the anemic offense, the rotation has taken up the slack & is showing some fatigue. IMO Lopez didn't have that little extra to blow away a batter in critical situations. IMO they should bring up Varland for a spot start as soon as possible & push back each SP, I'd keep Varland up in long relief/ spot start to help give support to the SPs & BP.

[Karbo]

13 hours ago, D.C Twins said:

I haven't seen Pablo pitch this year.... For those who have...

Is this a velocity issue, command, control, pitch mix, movement.... all of the above?

Something is not going well and... Make It Official!.... this is definitely a worrying trend.

Command IMO. He just isn't locating his pitches well.

[Bodie]

2 hours ago, Doctor Wu said:

... and only 3 hits. Ugh!

3 hits.

7 strikeouts.

Twice as many Ks as hits: sounds like (modern) Twins baseball...

[USAFChief]

Why would they continually pitch to Seager when the rest of the Texas lineup came into this series struggling?

[h2oface]

Lopez is so disappointing. I miss Arraez. Now we have Julian striking, out and Lopez, the 4 ERA career innings eater. Pablo Day has been given the house, opening day, misguided ace status, and is tanking. Good job, Pablo. 5.25 ERA now for a third of the season. Just peachy. Cy Young candidate my arse. We kept the wrong guy , eh Sonny?

[DJL44]

7 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

The twins still have no real identity  , they win 12 , lose 7 , win 4 ...

Streaky is an identity

[Doctor Gast]

8 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

It's been a tough stretch for Pablo ,  we expect he will pitch better  , let's wait and see ...

The twins still have no real identity  , they win 12 , lose 7 , win 4 ...

We now play royals , let's play good ball , today's loss was not good  , consistently is all we ask for ...

I would take a 81 -81 season every year if they would play exciting consistent baseball  ...

With the anemic offense, the rotation has taken up the slack & is showing some fatigue. IMO Lopez didn't have that little extra to blow away a batter in critical situations. IMO they should bring up Varland for a spot start as soon as possible & push back each SP, I'd keep Varland up in long relief/ spot start to help give support to the SPs & BP. We need to to do this to maximize quality innings & avoid any future injuries. Personally, I'd like to have this done sooner.

[David Maro]

It doesn't matter who is calling what pitch if it is thrown in the hitters happy zone.Lopez is not a 1 he is at best a 3 and its time for them to realize it.The next 4 games will determine the season for this team.The Royals are not going away and Cleveland isn't either.

[1985Fan]

One thing is clear, Julien and Miranda are brutal on defense. Along with Kiriloff. Those players would need to put up big offensive numbers to make up for their defense. None of the three should be playing in the field. Castro is also not a good outfielder. Watching Jeffers completely miss popups and passed balls makes him suspect behind the plate as well. There are too many defensive liabilities in the lineup that will need to be addressed. It seems like Lee is going to step into 2nd base. I’m hoping he is a good infielder so he has value when he goes through offensive slumps.  Twins need to emphasize good defense during development so they don’t have such terrible defenders costing outs for their pitching staff. If they get to the playoffs, bad defense will lose games. 

[Blyleven2011]

3 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Streaky is an identity

A very poor one , consistent would be better but ain't happening  ...