Final: Yankees 9, Twins 5: Paddack Done in Early for Minnesota

[Ted Schwerzler]

You know Chris Paddack wanted to put his last start against the Yankees behind him and bring Texas justice to the Bronx, but a rough first inning had him reeling before he could even settle in on Wednesday night.

Image courtesy of © Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Box Score
SP: Chris Paddack 4.0+ IP, 6 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, 7 K (85 pitches, 54 strikes, 12 whiffs)
Home Runs: Royce Lewis (3)
Bottom 3 WPA: Chris Paddack -.290, Carlos Correa -.040, Manuel Margot -.038

Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

Paddack Punished Early
Chris Paddack's start a couple of weeks ago at Target Field had some questioning whether he was tipping pitches to the New York Yankees. The hope was that he could make some tweaks and have a better outing on Wednesday in New York. Unfortunately, the answer was provided early, as Aaron Boone’s squad jumped all over Rocco Baldelli’s starter in the first inning.

Following a quick one-two-three dispatch of Minnesota’s hitters by Carlos Rodón (that again included some questionable umpiring), Anthony Volpe and Juan Soto singled to generate an immediate threat. Aaron Judge rolled a grounder to Willi Castro, but a bobble took away an opportunity for a double play and Volpe came home for the game’s first run. Getting Alex Verdugo on strikes, Paddack had a chance to limit damage, needing just one more out.

Giancarlo Stanton wasn’t going to let him off easy, though. A rocket single back up the middle scored Soto, before Anthony Rizzo and Gleyber Torres both doubled to bring across two more runs. Down 4-0 after the first inning, Minnesota looked to have their hands full again.

Rodón Perfect, Paddack Putrid
The sides traded zeroes for the next few innings, and Paddack seemed to find his footing in the third. He struck out a side that included Judge, Verdugo, and Stanton, and followed that with another quick frame in the fourth. Rodón was settled in before the first pitch, though, as he was perfect through five innings. Striking out eight times on just 65 pitches, the Twins weren't even able to make the big lefty work especially hard.

Unraveling again in the fifth, Paddack walked nine-hole hitter D.J. LeMahieu to kick things off, and then allowed the Yankees to load the bases before he recorded an out. Baldelli pulled Paddack and turned to Diego Castillo, hoping for a Houdini act. Instead, Castillo delivered something akin to Eminem's "Houdini": familiar, frustrating, a huge disappointment. Judge greeted him with a bases-clearing triple (which probably should have been a double and an error on Willi Castro, who continues to be a poor outfielder), and Verdugo used a sacrifice fly to bring him home.

By the sixth inning, therefore, Minnesota found themselves in an 8-0 hole. Making sure that Rodón wouldn't make history against his squad, Carlos Santana whacked his ninth home run to make it an 8-1 game, and Carlos Correa cashed in Manuel Margot following his double for their second run.

Birthday Blast for Royce
Castillo got himself into a similar position to Paddack, walking the bases loaded. Lifted from the contest with two outs in the sixth inning and a threat looming, he left Josh Staumont a mess, and Staumont made it worse. He threw five non-competitive pitches to Judge, allowing New York’s ninth run to score.

Looking to claw back with Dennis Santana taking over for Rodón, birthday boy Royce Lewis stepped in, and the 25-year-old launched his third homer of the season. The solo shot made history, as he became the first Twins player ever to hit home runs in each of the first three games of their season. Rocking a 2.917 OPS on June 5th is pretty remarkable. Jose Miranda followed him with a triple, and Byron Buxton brought him home in the next at bat. Still down 9-4 after seven innings, they had drawn closer. Correa brought home Kyle Farmer in the eighth inning to score Minnesota's fifth run after his leadoff double, and it gave the Twins tallies in three straight frames.

Steven Okert was handed the ball for the eighth inning and tasked with keeping the score where it was. He got two outs and then Volpe tagged him for a triple. This time Minnesota didn't allow the two out damage to come with a run, and went to the ninth inning needing four runs to lengthen the contest. Facing Michael Tonkin, who came back to pitch with Minnesota earlier this year, the Twins saw a familiar face opposing them. Lewis grounded out before Trevor Larnach appeared as a pinch hitter and struck out. Buxton suffered the same fate and this one was over.

Unable to complete a comeback, the Twins struck out 11 times on Wednesday night and never drew a walk. They have now scored just seven runs against the Yankees in 45 innings this season.

Notes
St. Paul was rained out last night, so Brooks Lee and Edouard Julien did not make their Saints debuts. They do so tonight, however, with both in the lineup against Syracuse. Julien homered in his first plate appearance. Walker Jenkins was in the Mighty Mussels lineup this afternoon and went 2-for-4 with a double. Jair Camargo, who is still working back on a rehab assignment, also played.

Emmanuel Rodriguez was back in the lineup for Double-A Wichita after missing more than a week with a hand injury. He went 2-for-2 with a double.

All-Star voting has opened, and while Royce Lewis won't have the numbers to get in, fans could certainly push him there. Either way, your chance to vote is now.

What’s Next? 
Pablo Lopez is on the mound tomorrow night for the Twins against Marcus Stroman and the Yankees. He’ll look to build on his start against the Houston Astros, and replicate more solid results. Needing a win to avoid a season sweep against New York, Minnesota will need a much better effort than they have shown in the first five games.

Postgame Interviews

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

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[Aggies7]

What you’ve been watching is one group of professional athletes being completely intimidated by another. Surprised it happens at the Major League level.

[BH67]

Through five innings, the fecklessness was breathtaking. After the rally in the 6th and 7th, it is also arguably hypnotic.

[SwainZag]

Didn't see any of the game, won't watch any highlights....at least tonight, but I hate the Yankees.

[mikelink45]

We played the Yankees - we lost - expected - yes.  Disappointing - extremely.

But after this game I have to say that any of you who are against the electronic strike zone have me shaking my head in disbelief.  

I understand it is not perfect, but it is consistent and that is something these umpires are not.  

[Aggies7]

2 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

We played the Yankees - we lost - expected - yes.  Disappointing - extremely.

But after this game I have to say that any of you who are against the electronic strike zone have me shaking my head in disbelief.  

I understand it is not perfect, but it is consistent and that is something these umpires are not.  

I hear you but some of these guys are dead wood that should be trimmed back at times. Tonight’s HP umpire Vanover has been in the league for so long, he debuted the last time the twins won the World Series.

[FlyingFinn]

I listened on the radio. Should Margot have caught that ball in the 1st inning? Would Kepler have caught it?

[D.C Twins]

Paddack needs a 2-week break

The Twins may as well just concede the wins to the Yankees and take the extra rest so they can be fresh for the teams that they can actually compete against.

Oh and one more thing....

ROYCE F-ING LEWIS!!!!!!!

 

[ashbury]

Is Royce running OK?  On his final at bat he seemed to be going at less than full speed, but I don't know if that was because of the potential for a collision on the play.

[knothole61]

Sad, but not unexpected losses to the Yankees. A win tomorrow will provide sufficient salve for me heading into Pittsburgh still six games over .500—but that doesn’t seem likely against this mostly healthy and nearly $306,000,000 New York lineup.

This is not a bad Twins team, and with Lewis back (for now) they should make some noise going forward. They have a good chance to end up in the postseason as a wild card entry, yet this Yankee thing continues to be so disheartening. I have put out a standing offer to play the role of Joe Hardy in all of this, but I haven’t heard back yet…I’ll keep you posted.

[Aggies7]

4 minutes ago, knothole61 said:

Sad, but not unexpected losses to the Yankees. A win tomorrow will provide sufficient salve for me heading into Pittsburgh still six games over .500—but that doesn’t seem likely against this mostly healthy and nearly $306,000,000 New York lineup.

This is not a bad Twins team, and with Lewis back (for now) they should make some noise going forward. They have a good chance to end up in the postseason as a wild card entry, yet this Yankee thing continues to be so disheartening. I have put out a standing offer to play the role of Joe Hardy in all of this, but I haven’t heard back yet…I’ll keep you posted.

It is disheartening because a good team shouldn’t be so overmatched and overwhelmed. The worst teams in the league still win 50-65 games a year. Every team the white Sox beat is better than they are. This isn’t football where the better team wins 90% of the time…doesn’t make sense why we can’t beat these guys. Intimidation plays a part

[Schmoeman5]

To rub salt in the wound. The Yankees got 2 no calls yesterday and today. Yesterday Soto should have been called out at first for making contact with Miranda on the pop-up to 1st. Judge was clearly inside the line on the sac fly. Jeffers was giving Judge a clear lane and he could have done a better job. But Judge initiated that contact. Sour grapes for sure. But Boone would blow a gasket if the roles were reversed. 

[bean5302]

Paddack was back throwing 94-95mph today, but I think what you see is what you get, a back end rotation arm. Coming into today, Paddack owned a 4.27 career ERA, and it certainly didn't get better despite the fWAR loving his sparkling 1.13 FIP on the day. Twins scored 5 so the offense did it's job by the end of the game in terms of run production, anyway.

I just cannot understand why the Twins lineup refuses to take professional at bats in high pressure games. 

FIRE GARY!

[bean5302]

Side note. Brent Rooker (who most folks on this site insist is a AAAA, journeyman, flash in the pan type) is sitting at .279/.368/.553 OPS .921 wRC+ 165. His xwOBA (.392) is right in line with his actual production (.396).

[h2oface]

Remember when after about a 4 week stretch around the winning streak folks were declaring Jeffers the best catcher in MLB, deserving an All-Star vote? Right. Colabello had a good month, too. Now Jeffers looks so lost. Right there with Buxton.

The selfies on the mound are just looking desperate, now. It is a long season.

[h2oface]

3 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

We played the Yankees - we lost - expected - yes.  Disappointing - extremely.

But after this game I have to say that any of you who are against the electronic strike zone have me shaking my head in disbelief.  

I understand it is not perfect, but it is consistent and that is something these umpires are not.  

With you all the way.... since the aughts. 

[h2oface]

2 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Paddack was back throwing 94-95mph today, but I think what you see is what you get, a back end rotation arm. Coming into today, Paddack owned a 4.27 career ERA, and it certainly didn't get better despite the fWAR loving his sparkling 1.13 FIP on the day. Twins scored 5 so the offense did it's job by the end of the game in terms of run production, anyway.

I just cannot understand why the Twins lineup refuses to take professional at bats in high pressure games. 

FIRE GARY!

Pretty close to Pablo Day Lopez's career ERA. Ace/Cy Young projections, though.

[Peter]

Yankees pounded twins last night but seeing Royce break another twins record was awesome 3 home runs coming back injury is awesome!!!! With him back in lineup future looks great!!! Let’s at very least take win today and even up road trip to .500 with excellent chance in having winning road trip which is way more important!!! Go twins!!!

[William K Johnson]

8 hours ago, Schmoeman5 said:

To rub salt in the wound. The Yankees got 2 no calls yesterday and today. Yesterday Soto should have been called out at first for making contact with Miranda on the pop-up to 1st. Judge was clearly inside the line on the sac fly. Jeffers was giving Judge a clear lane and he could have done a better job. But Judge initiated that contact. Sour grapes for sure. But Boone would blow a gasket if the roles were reversed. 

As a former umpire, I noted that as well.   However, on replay I also noted that the umpire extended his right arm indicating a delayed dead ball call if Miranda would not have been able to get to the ball.    However, he did, and the umpire dropped his right arm immediately.   Good mechanics, but still does not take away from how bad this crew has been in this series.

[Karbo]

This umpire crew was so lousy, but is it fair to blame the loss on them? The game could have looked much different had the 1st pitch which was well into the zone been called a strike. Would have the at bat changed with a 2-2 count instead of 3-1? Just an example. Then we have Farmer bobble a possible DP grounder, if Correa could get to 2nd on time, after shifting so deep into the hole. Who knows, but the game was poorly umped and with the "B" lineup vs a lefty there just isn't room for mistakes.

[MABB1959]

10 hours ago, Aggies7 said:

What you’ve been watching is one group of professional athletes being completely intimidated by another. Surprised it happens at the Major League level.

Are they intimated or just bad?  What is wrong with Buxton now!  He needs a time out but who could they play?  Alex or Trevor seem to be a bit better but IMO it is time to bring up Gonzales, Keirsey and Martin.  Get rid of Margot and Farmer to make room.

[insagt1]

Twins don't measure up to Yankees at all in any way. This season maybe  nobody measures up. O's Kimbrel blew one in the 9th against Toronto so they fell back another notch. The 5 games vs NY have been non competitive...like spring exhibition tryouts. Glad to be done with them after today. However Twins can't compete with the best teams at all this year. Not a good sign.

[TwinsDr2021]

10 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

We played the Yankees - we lost - expected - yes.  Disappointing - extremely.

But after this game I have to say that any of you who are against the electronic strike zone have me shaking my head in disbelief.  

I understand it is not perfect, but it is consistent and that is something these umpires are not.  

The old guy (I believe crew chief) should retire, he missed both calls at first the night before, and was missing ball/strike calls both ways last night.

[tony&rodney]

8 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Side note. Brent Rooker (who most folks on this site insist is a AAAA, journeyman, flash in the pan type) is sitting at .279/.368/.553 OPS .921 wRC+ 165. His xwOBA (.392) is right in line with his actual production (.396).

I'm happy for Rooker. The Twins could use that batting line from a regular position player but there was never any way Rooker was going to get regular at bats until he landed in Oakland.

I guess the question is would the Twins use a single player as a DH. Nelson Cruz was the last guy to be a DH for the Twins, although the team does have players whose defense makes them suited for DH duty.

[Linus]

The only thing I will say in the Twins defense is NY has had some real duck farts fall for hits in both games early. Of course some rockets as well. Their hitters sure look different than ours with two strikes on them. We continue to struggle in the field - it would be nice for our fielders to help a pitcher out once in a while instead of giving extra bases and outs to the Yanks

[Old Crow]

10 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

I listened on the radio. Should Margot have caught that ball in the 1st inning? Would Kepler have caught it?

No doubt but because the mgr loves right handed offense he's riding the bench.

[TwinsDr2021]

10 hours ago, ashbury said:

Is Royce running OK?  On his final at bat he seemed to be going at less than full speed, but I don't know if that was because of the potential for a collision on the play.

He looks fine, he started quick out of the box, but like every other major league player slowed down when the ball was fielded cleanly, and then slowed down and put his hands up to avoid contact when the ball was thrown a bit wildly. The TV crew has been talking about how the Twins want to be smart and not play 100% all the time to stay healthy and that seemed like he followed that in this situation.

Also I agree with Perking and Plouffe about how he should be hitting 1 - 3 in the lineup.

[Whitey333]

Yes a poorly umpires game especially at home plate.  But that didn't cause the loss.  The Twins just have a meltdown when they have to play the Yankees.  Thank goodness Thursday is the last day we play them during the regular season.  What was just as annoying as the Twins loss was listening to Kris Atterberry lament the lack of umpiring skills of the home plate umpire.  It was worthwhile mentioning the poor umpiring but this was his theme ALL game long.  It was obnoxious.  Just like he normally is.

[tony&rodney]

For those who want an electronic strike zone I believe that it is years away due to comments from Manfred and likely the influence of the umpires. 

There really isn't any reason that baseball cannot have the ABS challenge system put into place. The lame arguments of how to cue the strike zone have not shown in AAA. At a minimum, the use of an ABS challenge system reduces complaints about ball/strike calls and rewards or punishes players for their knowledge of the strike zone. 

Two years ago I was not convinced that the use of an electronic zone would be beneficial. There were irregularities at that time which have been totally cleared up. The issues with balls and strikes is virtually nonexistent in AAA. It makes for a cleaner game. MLB could actually use it next year if there wasn't politics involved in the decision.

[JD-TWINS]

10 hours ago, knothole61 said:

Sad, but not unexpected losses to the Yankees. A win tomorrow will provide sufficient salve for me heading into Pittsburgh still six games over .500—but that doesn’t seem likely against this mostly healthy and nearly $306,000,000 New York lineup.

This is not a bad Twins team, and with Lewis back (for now) they should make some noise going forward. They have a good chance to end up in the postseason as a wild card entry, yet this Yankee thing continues to be so disheartening. I have put out a standing offer to play the role of Joe Hardy in all of this, but I haven’t heard back yet…I’ll keep you posted.

I get the doom & gloom v. Yankees. The going back over 20-25 years every time they play seems over done - gotta talk about something I guess. This year is disheartening, but as another contributor pointed out, they have a $306M payroll v. our $124M (approximately?).

Last year the Twins were 4-3 v. Yankees.

Couple of BIG catches in OF for them last night and a couple of non-plays by Margot & Castro made a bunch of difference. Paddack’s throwing horace pitches in zone on 0-2 is unacceptable (Rizzo’s AB in 1st - double) as are his failures to not throw middle-middle with his fastball. After 1st inning he did neither, and had success. Good stuff - terrible execution early!

Yankees have best record in the game & we face them once more……….hopefully, Pablo is ready to go tonight……and some bats, other than just Lewis.