Pirates 4, Twins 0: Time For A Rowdy Player's-Only Meeting?

[Ted Schwerzler]

Following a sweep at the hands of the New York Yankees, the Minnesota Twins went to Pittsburgh facing a Pirates team they should beat and for the second straight day, came up empty.

Image courtesy of Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Box Score
SP: Simeon Woods Richardson 6.1 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K (97 pitches, 69 strikes, 17 whiffs)
Home Runs: N/A 
Bottom 3 WPA: Jose Miranda (-.170), Trevor Larnach (-.140), Carlos Correa (-.128)

Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

A New Career Best for Woods Richardson
Rocco Baldelli was imploring his squad to end the current four-game losing streak with a win on Saturday, and Derek Shelton going with an opener allowed them an opportunity. Facing Carmen Mlodzinski making just his second big league start, and having allowed 11 runs (eight earned) across 10 2/3 innings this season, he was likely to provide an opening.

Unfortunately, Minnesota couldn’t get anything done during the 1 2/3 innings that the Pirates allowed him to work, and that remained the case for both sides through the first six innings. Simeon Woods Richardson was on the bump for the Twins, and he held Pittsburgh at bay by posting the best start of his career.

Working 6 1/3 innings, the Twins rookie scattered six hits and struck out six. It wasn’t until a Rowdy Tellez solo home run in the seventh inning got over a leaping Byron Buxton at the wall that a run on the board. Woods Richardson continued to sustain his increased velocity throughout his start, and throwing a 97.2 mph four-seam fastball isn’t something that could have been expected even a season ago. He has been ever big the steadying for Minnesota has needed at the back end of the rotation.

Minnesota’s Offensive Ineptitude Continues
The Twins had an opportunity to grab momentum before Tellez got them with a run. In the seventh inning facing Justin Bruihl, Max Kepler kicked off the inning with a single. Jose Miranda then erased the runner with a double play, but Minnesota battled with two outs. Willi Castro took his second hit by pitch of the game, and Buxton singled. With the go-ahead run in scoring position, Alex Kirilloff was lifted against a lefty. Knowing the Pirates would respond with a right handed pitcher, he went with Manuel Margot. The decision was rewarded with Margot popping out weekly to push his pinch hitting tally in 2024 to 0-for-17.

Remaining without a run through the eighth inning, the Twins completed their 21st consecutive inning without scoring. Having been swept by the New York Yankees, it appears that the team couldn’t turn the page for a lesser opponent in the form of Pittsburgh as well. The same lack of consistency that has been a problem all year, is again rearing its head through an ugly downswing.

Duran Can’t Get Rowdy
Coming on for the eighth inning looking to keep the game close, Jhoan Duran was called upon to give his lineup a chance. He got Connor Joe to begin the frame, but then walked Oneil Cruz and gave up a single to Ke’Bryan Hayes. The latter stole second with Nick Gonzalez up, and before recording the final out, it was Tellez doing damage again. A single to left field scored both Pirates baserunners and the Twins found themselves in a 3-0 hole.

Duran’s focus was clearly not there as he responded by immediately allowing Tellez to move up 90 feet on a balk. Baldelli had seen enough and removed his closer in favor of Diego Castillo. The new reliever immediately came on and walked Yasmani Grandal before former Twins outfielder Michael A. Taylor drove Tellez in on a single making it 4-0.

Royce Lewis kicked off the ninth inning showing life with a single, but Kepler flailed at pitches to strike out for the third time before Miranda suffered the same fate. Castro popped out to end the game, and the Twins scoreless innings streak had now been pushed to a whopping 22 innings. Striking out seven times and drawing only a single walk against a slew of bullpen arms, Minnesota put just three players in scoring position, cashing none of them in, and stranding six runners.

The ugly stretch continues.

Notes
Alex Kirilloff starting in left field Saturday marked his debut in the lineup against his hometown Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Field. He had previously appeared in four games against Pittsburgh (including a pinch hit spot on Friday night against David Bednar), but his 256th major league game was his first start at the stadium he grew up going to. Kirilloff entered the game 0-for-12 against his childhood franchise.

What’s Next? 
Bailey Ober takes the ball on Sunday against impressive Pirates pitcher Jared Jones. The Twins will be looking to finish the road trip with some positive momentum as they head home to unveil their City Connect uniforms and host the Colorado Rockies on Monday night.

Postgame Interviews

 

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

 

 

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[Linus]

SWR with another well pitched game. The feast or famine offense is starving right now. This is not a recent phenomenon. I honestly think this roster is going to need to be blown up if things are going to change positively enough to win playoff games. And that really can’t happen until the off season. 

[singlesoverwalks]

I'm fascinated by how the Twins' playoff odds graph on Fangraphs is pretty much a sine wave.

https://www.fangraphs.com/standings/playoff-odds-graphs?lg=AL&div=C&stat=poff&year=2024

By the way, this site published a post calling the Twins "overwhelming favorites" to win the division when they were at their peak. 😂

 

 

[Ted Schwerzler]

12 minutes ago, singlesoverwalks said:

By the way, this site published a post calling the Twins "overwhelming favorites" to win the division when they were at their peak. 😂

I'm not sure there's anything to laugh at regarding statistical probabilities. They look awful right now, but have nearly 100 games to play.

[bean5302]

Players only meeting? No. Ownership meeting with Falvey and Baldelli where Baldelli packs his bags? Yes.

[Linus]

Just now, bean5302 said:

Players only meeting? No. Ownership meeting with Falvey and Baldelli where Baldelli packs his bags? Yes.

Package deal. One goes all go. 

[bean5302]

2 minutes ago, Linus said:

Package deal. One goes all go. 

GM's always throw the manager under the bus to save themselves first.

[Linus]

1 minute ago, bean5302 said:

GM's always throw the manager under the bus to save themselves first.

Yea but they will hire someone who will do the same thing. I’m not a Rocco fan or hater. He is doing exactly what Falvine wants. 

[singlesoverwalks]

12 minutes ago, Ted Schwerzler said:

I'm not sure there's anything to laugh at regarding statistical probabilities. They look awful right now, but have nearly 100 games to play.

You have to either laugh or cry.

[RpR]

Twins need the ghost of Billy Martin to come to their meeting and knock a few heads around.

In my opinion , Rocco's attitude is too much like Molitor's - he is there friend who does not want to hurt their feelings, not their boss.

A hard nose player like Josh Donalson is what they need right now to tell them they are playing like grade school children.

[darwin22]

Absolutely embarrassing and pathetic.

[Patzky]

Don't invite rowdy.

[glunn]

Another day when good pitching is wasted due to a pathetic lack of offense.

[darwin22]

I know many other hitters to place blame on, but the last 10 games for Kepler should put to rest ANY TALK of bringing him back next year:

AB: 37

H:    4

AVG: .108

SLG PCT:  .135

K:  13

BB:  1

At 1/10 the cost, Wallner can put up those numbers.

This team is what it is. Not good and not getting better anytime in the near future.

[RpR]

Yep with the numbers for he past 15 games, Kep and Jeffers should sent on their way , blah, blah, blah.

These are the gents the Twins need as they are RAKING  for the Saints:

[MMMordabito]

21 minutes ago, darwin22 said:

I know many other hitters to place blame on, but the last 10 games for Kepler should put to rest ANY TALK of bringing him back next year:

AB: 37

H:    4

AVG: .108

SLG PCT:  .135

K:  13

BB:  1

At 1/10 the cost, Wallner can put up those numbers.

This team is what it is. Not good and not getting better anytime in the near future.

10 games seems a bit tight as a basis for that type of decision.

[Linus]

The Twins just don’t get enough offense out of the corner outfielders and first base. Those are three spots where you have some bats. 

[RpR]

5 minutes ago, Linus said:

The Twins just don’t get enough offense out of the corner outfielders and first base. Those are three spots where you have some bats. 

The fact today that Bixton, Larnach and Miranda hit into double plays is just important or more so than who gets a hit.

Twins die by double plays and walks.

[USAFChief]

Death, taxes, and Rocco making sure Manny Margot has every opportunity to cut a rally off.

 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Kirilloff was hitting game winning home runs just a couple weeks ago 

[RpR]

6 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

Death, taxes, and Rocco making sure Manny Margot has every opportunity to cut a rally off.

 

Blah, blah, blah but I agree Rocco has become an analytic addict.

[LambchoP]

Please DFA Margot so Balldelli stops putting him out there as a rally killing automatic out.

[The Mad King]

Yes Joe Ryan and SWR should be throwing bats, destroying lounge chairs. They did everything they could to win these last two games and got zero support. Somebody needs to raise hell and if Rocco, C4, BB or anyone else who thinks they're a leader won't do it then the youngsters might as well. They didn't just lose a pitcher when they let Gray walk, they lost a leader.

[ChermesZ]

3 minutes ago, RpR said:

Blah, blah, blah but I agree Rocco has become an analytic addict.

The spreadsheet probably says ‘0-10+ means he is due for a big hit’.

 

Same for farmer - isn’t he supposed to be a clubhouse leader?

Edited June 9, 2024 by ChermesZ
Added some about farmer.

[USAFChief]

At least it dawned on Rocco it'd be legal to PH Jeffers for Vazquez in the 8th. 

Of course, down 2 with 2 on and nobody out in the 8th the other night, he forgot.

Weak ground ball from Christian "I weigh more than my OPS" Vazquez, 5-4-3, inning torpedoed. "Oh well, nothing to do about it."

 

[Pat]

Inept

[Vanimal46]

1 hour ago, Linus said:

I honestly think this roster is going to need to be blown up if things are going to change positively enough to win playoff games. And that really can’t happen until the off season

Couldn’t agree more. The roster is mostly old, especially in the pitching department. And a group of 25-27 year olds still trying to establish themselves as MLB talent. I’m not excited about the health of the organization. 

[AceWrigley]

SWR deserved better.

[darwin22]

39 minutes ago, MMMordabito said:

10 games seems a bit tight as a basis for that type of decision.

Ok.....if that seems rash (last 10 games for Kepler), lets look at what he's done since 2019 (.252/ 36/90/ .855 OPS)

2020:  .228/9/23/.760*-----Covid 60-game season

2021:   .211/19/54/.719 OPS

2022:  .227/ 9/43/.666

2023:  March thr June 30th

.203 avg/ 11 HR/ 25 RBI/ .692 OPS

Yes, Kep had an excellent 2nd half last season, but that doesn't discount his dismal offensive output for almost 3 full seasons before that.

[strumdatjag]

Make peace with Doug Mientkiewicz and bring him in to manage this team.   He can kick some butts.