Make it Official! Twins 7, Rays 6: A Wet, Wild, Walkoff Win

[Ted Schwerzler]

In a game that the Minnesota Twins didn't know if they would get in, Pablo López struggled yet again, Luckily, the lineup battled through adversity and weather delays to come up with yet another one-run victory.

Image courtesy of © Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Box Score
SP: Pablo López 4.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB 3 K (54 pitches, 39 strikes, 6 whiffs)
Home Runs: Max Kepler (6)
Top 3 WPA: Carlos Santana (.389), Willi Castro (.239), Carlos Correa (.165)

Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

Pablo Pummeled Again
The Twins hoped to see Pablo López compete for a Cy Young Award for a second time, in his second year with the organization. Instead, he’s been a mess, and we're all left waiting on his advanced metrics to normalize in the results column. More of the same was afoot on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays. After allowing a pair of base runners while grabbing a pair of outs, he allowed a three-run blast to Randy Arozarena. In just the first inning, Rocco Baldelli’s squad was down 3-0.

Allowing Yandy Díaz to score on a Josh Lowe single during the third inning, Lopez had the twins behind 4-0. Both Willi Castro and Carlos Correa had started threats with inning opening doubles, but the lineup couldn’t cash in during either opportunity. The Twins went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position through three innings. That's a tough level of ineptitude to achieve.

Willi Castro Says Enough!
López worked around a two-out walk in the fourth inning, and Minnesota came to the plate. Facing a four-run deficit, the lineup needed to reverse course. Correa answered with his second hit of the night, a single, before José Miranda and Byron Buxton got out, but then the Twins went to work. Ryan Jeffers singled and Austin Martin walked to load the bases. Castro ripped a double down the right field line to clear the bases, and advanced to third on the throw. Trevor Larnach dumped an opposite field double into right field, scoring Castro, and the game was tied. Kevin Cash lifted Civale and Minnesota had new life.

Turning it over to the fifth inning, Lopez surrendered another home run, this time to Brandon Lowe, and Minnesota was down again. Rain started to fall in droves at Target Field, and home plate umpire Vic Carapazza sent the teams off less than a batter later.

Jay Jackson took over and remained the same pitcher that was earlier DFA’d. Josh Lowe took him deep for his third homer of the year and put Tampa Bay ahead 6-4.

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Minnesota Answers the Rain
After getting behind prior to, and following the rain delay, Baldelli’s squad came up with an answer. Max Kepler launched his sixth homer of the season in the fifth inning to make it a 6-5 game, and Jeffers plated Correa on a sacrifice fly to tie the game.

Still tied after the seventh inning, it was DMX time with Griffin Jax coming on for Minnesota. Sprinkles dripped onto the crowd, but Baldelli’s reliever got the Rays in order. Jhoan Duran worked a scoreless inning following his entrance and it was on the offense to walk it off.

Manuel Margot singled to start the final frame before both Lewis and Kepler went down. Correa ripped a bouncer back to pitcher Pete Fairbanks and got on board as the Tampa reliever couldn’t corral it. With his hand hurting Fairbanks exited the game a Phil Maton replaced him on the bump. Baldelli went with potential All-Star Carlos Santana in a pinch hit spot, and his single drove home Magot to walk it off.

Minnesota improved to 14-5 in one-run games this season, and Correa stayed hot with a three-hit outing. Castro grabbed two of his own and the Twins extended their winning streak to six.

Notes
Some interesting parallels for the Rays starter on Tuesday night. Aaron Civale was traded by the Cleveland Guardians to Tampa last year for prospect Kyle Manzardo. The first baseman was optioned by Cleveland on Tuesday after owning a 63 OPS+ in his first 30 major league games.

Alex Kirilloff, who you may remember was optioned to St. Paul on June 13, was in the clubhouse pre-game as he came up with a back injury. It’s a pretty ugly look for him no matter what the situation winds up playing out like.

Brooks Lee hit a grand slam for the Saints tonight. That’s more bad news for Kyle Farmer.

Willie Mays died at 93 years old on Tuesday and the Twins used their rain delay to honor his memory. With Harmon Killebrew making an appearance, a home run derby of yesteryear showed up on the jumbotron.

What’s Next? 
Former Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Joe Ryan, acquired in exchange for Nelson Cruz, will go against his former club on Wednesday. Taj Bradley opposes him with the series on the line.

Postgame Interviews

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

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[BH67]

Now within four-and-a-half games of Cleveland. Surpassing the Royals tonight as well.

And now, a hallucination: Varland, Stewart, Staumont, Alcala, Jax and Duran, all healthy in October…

[Schmoeman5]

Pablo Lopez starts? Very troubling. How many times can a team come back from a 4 run deficit? And then, even after tying it up he goes out and gives up another run. The delay might have actually helped the Twins. By not allowing him to return. Nice comeback win tonight though. 

[VivaBomboRivera!]

Don't worry, be happy

[h2oface]

That was an impressive win, with an unlikely walk-off hero. 

The upside of Pablo Day Lopez now pitching like he did all career (maybe even worse) except last year, is that now his yellow souvenir jersey comes with a free matching yellow paper bag with the holes pre-cut to watch the games he pitches in style.

[GNess]

50 minutes ago, h2oface said:

That was an impressive win, with an unlikely walk-off hero. 

The upside of Pablo Day Lopez now pitching like he did all career (maybe even worse) except last year, is that now his yellow souvenir jersey comes with a free matching yellow paper bag with the holes pre-cut to watch the games he pitches in style.

Pablo Lopez has had four seasons with a sub-four ERA. He is currently having his worse season - hardly typical for him. 

[h2oface]

47 minutes ago, GNess said:

Pablo Lopez has had four seasons with a sub-four ERA. He is currently having his worse season - hardly typical for him. 

OK. I was a little cruel. Must have gotten over influenced by how horrible he is pitching now with the 7.75 ERA in the last 7 games (31 earned in 36 innings, with 10 walks - still bag worthy), and the now 4.04 career ERA. I don't know that it makes it any better, though. I think Ace's usually even go sub-three. Impressive win. Even Lopez couldn't sabotage it in the end.

[UK Twin]

I still think Lopez will be fine. His form is a concern though that's for sure. Still, it's good to see the offence getting us out of a hole, and not for the first time lately.

Another multi hit game for Correa. When was the last time he actually struck out? 

Willi Castro is proving that last year wasn't a one off either. What a pick up he was. 

Finally, RIP Willie Mays. One of the GOAT. Very sad that he passed just days before the game at Rickwood Field.

 

[Doctor Wu]

Did I just read the term "potential All-Star Carlos Santana" in this post? C'mon, folks, Sure, Carlos is finally above the Mendoza line and getting some timely hits and home runs, but an All-Star this season? I think that's a big stretch. 

 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

2 hours ago, UK Twin said:

IAnother multi hit game for Correa. When was the last time he actually struck out? 

June 16, I believe in the nightcap.

fangraphs game log doesn’t specify which game on 6/16’s doubleheader

[mikelink45]

This is a really great team win - coming back must charge up the team like it does the fans.

Yes, I am concerned about Lopez.  Why is he so inconsistent?  Ryan has to take over the Ace role.

And I am still questioning the Jackson move - good comment in your essay Ted. 

Let's keep it going a nice winning streak and hopefully no more losing streaks.

Kiriloff is cursed - like Buxton he will never have the total career we all expected and hoped for. 

[Gold15]

4 hours ago, h2oface said:

OK. I was a little cruel. Must have gotten over influenced by how horrible he is pitching now with the 7.75 ERA in the last 7 games (31 earned in 36 innings, with 10 walks - still bag worthy), and the now 4.04 career ERA. I don't know that it makes it any better, though. I think Ace's usually even go sub-three. Impressive win. Even Lopez couldn't sabotage it in the end.

Lopez pretty much signal handily helped the twins end their playoff winless game and series streaks. But yeah, keep on trashing him with your whiny little comments.....

[Peter]

C4 is💪💪💪💪💪🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 not many team can do what twins did last night with rain delay and down twice then end up winning-huge comeback win last night!!!! 4.5 back on Cleveland-with team at full health look out!!! Twins are must see/must watch!!! Go Twins!!!

[CRF]

Definitely a great comeback win, but Lopez is really becoming a big concern. He puts us in the hole every time he pitches. Something just isn't right with him. 

[MABB1959]

Kind of distressing how Pablo as look lately.  Best case scenario is he will snap out of it worst case is he is pitching with an injury.

[JD-TWINS]

7 hours ago, BH67 said:

Now within four-and-a-half games of Cleveland. Surpassing the Royals tonight as well.

And now, a hallucination: Varland, Stewart, Staumont, Alcala, Jax and Duran, all healthy in October…

Along with Okert & Paddack…….

[Guest]

From the linked article about Kirilloff::

Alex Kirilloff was optioned to Triple-A on June 13. He never showed up. On June 18 he was in the Minnesota Twins clubhouse claiming a back ailment… 

If true I think this shows a lot about this young man’s character.

[JD-TWINS]

8 hours ago, BH67 said:

Now within four-and-a-half games of Cleveland. Surpassing the Royals tonight as well.

And now, a hallucination: Varland, Stewart, Staumont, Alcala, Jax and Duran, all healthy in October…

Along with Okert & Paddack…….

Current PEN is really good through 6 guys, despite a few issues. ……..Jackson has another 1 or 2 tries and w/o a steep improvement, he’s gone. Thielbar seems like a wasted roster spot at this point……when does he get his last try, or else?

[Whitey333]

Very nice win while battling the rain.  Lopez is a concern.  He's supposed to be our ace but so far the mantra it's early and his advance metrics are good is ringing shallow.  If we are to be successful we need him.  Margot is now 0 for 19 pinch hitting yet we keep sending him out there .  I'm concerned about jackson.  Why is he on the roster.  If we don't have anyone better than him in our system we are in a world of hurt.  But a lot of positives.  Correa is hot!!!  Bottom line:  just win baby.

[tony&rodney]

Not long ago, Margot and Santana were struggling but they are playing well at this time and sweeping away the talk of their demise. 

I'm still thinking the roster stays pretty much the same until an evaluation that follows the series versus Philadelphia.

[Dman]

Man I can't remember a Twins player on the kind of heater Correa has been on for this long. He is catching some lucky breaks on some hits falling in no mans land or just squeezing through, but most are good solid hits.  He is really helping the team with his bat right now.

[Karbo]

Jackson has to go. There has to be someone better to call up.

[Riverbrian]

8 hours ago, h2oface said:

That was an impressive win, with an unlikely walk-off hero. 

The upside of Pablo Day Lopez now pitching like he did all career (maybe even worse) except last year, is that now his yellow souvenir jersey comes with a free matching yellow paper bag with the holes pre-cut to watch the games he pitches in style.

I got me one of those yellow jerseys and I will still wear it with Pride. Even with his struggles... I'm still a Pablo Lopez fan. 

Although with his recent struggles... I will also wear that yellow paper bag. 

[Doctor Gast]

I love the photo of Martin, he's not afraid to go airborne. The offense & BP got the job done, They need to bring Varland up & keep him up. They are finally using Alcala right, it's about time to do the same with Varland. Lopez will get it right, I'm not concerned (unless there's an injury). Either way, the ship needs to be corrected.

Agreed Farmer's days are numbered, Lee will force him out. My condolences to the Willie Mays family. IMO Mays was the all-time great.

[Riverbrian]

Still not comfortable commenting on these game recap "make it official" threads because I'm still not able to watch the game. I need the important context that can only be gained from watching. 

With that said... while I believe that Rocco over did the pinch hitting last year by miles. I realize that I can come across as anti-pinch hitting at times as a result. I'm not. 

I would have had no problem with Santana pinch hitting for Miranda in that spot last night. The 9th is when you pinch hit... not the 4th or 5th and 2nd inning.  

Unless of course... there was some context from not watching the game that I was missing.  

Way to come up clutch Mr. Santana. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

3 hours ago, Doctor Wu said:

Did I just read the term "potential All-Star Carlos Santana" in this post? C'mon, folks, Sure, Carlos is finally above the Mendoza line and getting some timely hits and home runs, but an All-Star this season? I think that's a big stretch. 

It's a testament to just how weak the AL first baseman class is, not how great Santana is.

[terrydactyls]

Doesn't Larnach hit from the first base side of home plate?  Riddle me this, Batman, how does a left-hander hit an opposite field double to right field?

[Schmoeman5]

2 hours ago, Gold15 said:

Lopez pretty much signal handily helped the twins end their playoff winless game and series streaks. But yeah, keep on trashing him with your whiny little comments.....

That was last year! If he keeps pitching the way he has been, there won't be ANY playoff heroics. 

[Gold15]

15 minutes ago, Schmoeman5 said:

That was last year! If he keeps pitching the way he has been, there won't be ANY playoff heroics. 

you guys are so melodramatic and whiny.

[Schmoeman5]

1 minute ago, Gold15 said:

you guys are so melodramatic and whiny.

Better than being delusional and living in the past. Remember when bread was 5 cents a loaf?