Make it Official! Twins 5, Tigers 3: Minnesota Figures Out Skubal Mastery

[Ted Schwerzler]

The Minnesota Twins sent Simeon Woods Richardson to the bump on Tuesday, and facing a Cy Young contender, he bested Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal. Rocco Baldelli saw his stars shine, and they began a new homestand with a victory.

Image courtesy of © Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Box Score
SP: Simeon Woods Richardson 5.2 IP 4 H 3 R 3 ER 2 BB 4 K (94 pitches, 61 strikes, 9 whiffs)
Home Runs: Manuel Margot (3), Carlos Correa(10)
Top 3 WPA: Royce Lewis .201, Byron Buxton .193, Manuel Margot .161

Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

Slump This
Facing the Detroit Tigers best starter, Tarik Skubal, Minnesota was forced with figuring him out. Having faced him earlier this season, Skubal bested the Twins over five innings during a scoreless outing. After a pair of scoreless frames on Tuesday, which were matched by three scoreless from Simeon Woods Richardson, Minnesota was threatening.

Kyle Farmer and Manuel Margot had reached on singles, and while Carlos Correa went down looking on an 11-pitch at bat, Royce Lewis still had a chance. Having dealt with illness since the Oakland series, his performance had suffered. Healthy again tonight, he took aim at Skubal during his second at bat of the game and ripped a two-run, two-out double down the left field line.

Justyn-Henry Malloy took Woods Richardson deep to kick off the fifth inning, and it was apparent that needing extra names was the way for Detroit to score. Former Twins prospect Akil Baddoo followed with a single, and after a Jake Rogers lineout, he advanced all the way to third on an errant pickoff attempt. Ryan Kreidler deposited the second pitch of the inning into the bleachers. And the Tigers had a 3-2 lead.

Manuel MarGONE
Still facing Skubal in the fifth inning, Minnesota wasn’t interested in trailing long. After a quick pair of outs, Manuel Margot blasted a home run into the Detroit bullpen. Tying things at three, he definitely gave starter Woods Richardson new life on the bump.

Starting the sixth inning, Max Kepler took over in right field for the Twins, but it was because Lewis had to be removed from the game due to groin tightness. Of course he missed more than two months earlier this year because of a quad strain. Kyle Farmer went to third and Willi Castro took over at second. Woods Richardson couldn’t quite make it through six innings, but Jorge Alcala came on and got a punch out to end the frame.

Byron Buxton doubled to open the seventh inning, and he quickly advanced to third on a wild pitch. Ryan Jeffers grounded back up the middle and reached safely on a fielder’s choice, but first base umpire Alex MacKay made an out call suggesting he had turned incorrectly after reaching the base.

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In Case of Emergency, Blast Off
Griffin Jax shut down the Tigers during the eighth inning and gave his lineup another chance to provide some breathing room. Carlos Correa took the opportunity to do just that when he launched his tenth home run of the year to make it a 5-3 game. Minnesota loaded the bases against Beau Brieske, but kept it a two run game to give Jhoan Duran his flowers.

Entering under a solid summer sunset. The Twins closer got the Tigers in order to end the game. He still had diminished velocity, topping out at 101.9 mph, but his stuff was good enough to get the job done. Margot was the lone Twins batter to record a pair of hits while they scattered seven, but an 8/5 K/BB in a game started by Skubal is hardly a bad effort.

Notes
Brooks Lee is headed to the All-Star Futures Game as Minnesota’s representative. He will also participate in the Futures Skills Showcase. A recent update to the MLB Pipeline top 100 has Lee flying up prospect lists. He also blasted a three-run homer for the Saints tonight.

Darren Wolfson had a few notes on his latest Scoops podcast. Matt Canterino does not need surgery after his MRI came back clean, but he’s no closer to returning to the mound. Brock Stewart’s return remains a long way off, and that’s quite the unfortunate development after the injury was initially described as “shoulder fatigue.” Also, Minnesota is getting calls on Matt Wallner.

Justin Topa is scheduled to throw a couple of bullpens while Stewart has graduated to live batting practice.

Zack Weiss, who was signed as a free agent this offseason and was placed on the 60-day injured list, has had his rehab moved from the FCL to Low-A Fort Myers.

Two more big flies tonight meant that the Twins have homered in a franchise-record 20 straight games. When setting the single-season record of blasts during the Bomba Squad year, Minnesota didn't accomplish that feat.

Recent Timberwolves first round picks Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. we’re in the house to throw out ceremonial first pitches. They should stick to the hardwood.

If you were holding out hope of buying that atrocious corduroy Twins City Connect cap, your dream is dead.

What’s Next? 
Wednesday night features rookie David Festa’s second start, and Target Field debut. After Jack Flaherty was scratched by the Tigers, he will be opposed by Keider Montero.

Postgame Interviews

 

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

 

View full article

[BH67]

SWR effectively matched Skubal for six innings, after which the Twins won the bullpen battle. He’ll learn from the rough 5th inning. Alcala, Jax and Duran shut down the Tigers impressively.

Great to see Farmer and Margot beginning the 3rd inning rally. Hoping that the man who drove them in was only exercising caution with his early departure. Big late inning hits from Buck and CC4 are encouraging.

The remaining schedule before the All-Star break includes two struggling teams (Tigers and White Sox), one improving rapidly (Astros), and one that switches between hot and cold (Giants). The Twins appear ready to capitalize.
 

[Mike Sixel]

Lewis news?

[FlyingFinn]

Very confused on Stewart. Is it, "Brock Stewart’s return remains a long way off," or is "Stewart has graduated to live batting practice?" One seems terrible and the other comment optimistic.

[mikelink45]

If Lewis is out again the game loses the joy that it should generate.

[FlyingFinn]

11 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Lewis news?

On the post-game radio show. Lewis could only run at 50% to 2B on the double. He said he couldn't have made it to home on any single at that point. Tight groin. Not sure why he didn't take himself out immediately at that point.

[Patzky]

9 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

On the post-game radio show. Lewis could only run at 50% to 2B on the double. He said he couldn't have made it to home on any single at that point. Tight groin. Not sure why he didn't take himself out immediately at that point.

These guys have to learn to not play when they can't. Ryan last year. Speak up. 

[Fatbat]

25 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Lewis news?

Muscle tightness in the groin

[D.C Twins]

The picture for this story reminds me that we need to appreciate Buxton in CF... every. single. day. it. happens.

[D.C Twins]

2 minutes ago, Fatbat said:

Muscle tightness in the groin

Ugh.... mandatory looooong stretch routines!

[akmanak]

I am so tired of these types of injuries.

[stringer bell]

9 minutes ago, akmanak said:

I am so tired of these types of injuries.

We all are, but the Twins have been extraordinarily healthy for almost two months. Injuries are going to happen. One hopes they aren’t severe and don’t all happen to the same position group. 

[Lasorda_This_Out]

Royce Lewis is arguably to the most talented young MLB player on Planet Earth?

Trade at the deadline?

Yes!

Injuries galore which will cause a buying team huge angst. vs Immense talent.

Puts the Twins in a dominant bargaining position?

Twins balk untill the other team caves with the Mother of All Hauls?

In a Nanosecond...

 

 

 

 

[mnfireman]

If only Buxton learned how to take a BB and not K, he might be able to score some runs and help the team win some games...

[bean5302]

If Lewis' groin was so tight he couldn't run, he's probably out till after the All Star Break.

[mnfireman]

9 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

If Lewis' groin was so tight he couldn't run, he's probably out till after the All Star Break.

The team will drag it out until Thursday or Friday before making a decision, then they will call up Wallner or Julien because they are on the 40 man roster.

[bean5302]

Just now, mnfireman said:

The team will drag it out until Thursday or Friday before making a decision, then they will call up Wallner or Julien because they are on the 40 man roster.

MRI is scheduled. I'm guessing they'll know exactly what they're doing as soon as it comes back. Lewis said he wasn't optimistic.

[mnfireman]

20 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

MRI is scheduled. I'm guessing they'll know exactly what they're doing as soon as it comes back. Lewis said he wasn't optimistic.

Lewis is proving to be at least as injury prone as Buxton, time for a new hero...

[bighat]

Brooks Lee, your table is ready. 

[bighat]

5 hours ago, bean5302 said:

MRI is scheduled. I'm guessing they'll know exactly what they're doing as soon as it comes back. Lewis said he wasn't optimistic.

Yeah this is bad news. At this point you hope the Twins can hang on for a Wild Card spot and maybe Lewis comes back for the playoffs. Reckon that's best case scenario at this point. 

[Doctor Wu]

22 minutes ago, bighat said:

Brooks Lee, your table is ready. 

Very sad that Lewis is likely on the IL again, and who knows for how long, but yeah, this would seem like the opportune time to call up Brooks Lee. 

[Peter]

Exciting game and Huge win!!! 

[CRF]

Lewis has to have the worst "luck" of any player I can recall, in my many years of following baseball. The guy just can't stay off the IL for long before getting hurt again. Yeah, I know we have two guys like that, but this is getting ridiculous. Lewis says that he's not optimistic on this injury, and if he feels that way, my guess is that he's gone for another month or longer. Lewis has to figure out a way to keep his legs healthy and stay on the field. Get Lee up here and see what he can do right now. 

[Hubie29]

9 hours ago, akmanak said:

I am so tired of these types of injuries.

Amen! It is really ridiculous for young men that are supposed to be in the best shape of their lives. What the heck are they going to feel like in their 60's??

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

7 hours ago, bean5302 said:

MRI is scheduled. I'm guessing they'll know exactly what they're doing as soon as it comes back. Lewis said he wasn't optimistic.

Feel bad for the guy. He's usually so optimistic and positive. Hoping that it isn't too severe of an injury.

[nclahammer]

7 hours ago, mnfireman said:

If only Buxton learned how to take a BB and not K, he might be able to score some runs and help the team win some games...

Umm...two walks and zero Ks on Tuesday night.

[Old Twins Hat]

7 hours ago, bean5302 said:

If Lewis' groin was so tight he couldn't run, he's probably out till after the All Star Break.

I am thinking that it is time for Brooks Lee to make his MLB debut.

When Lewis gets a timeline, Farmer's days are numbered.  Some team may trade a low A backend pitcher with velocity for infield depth.

[$tryf4Life]

7 hours ago, mnfireman said:

If only Buxton learned how to take a BB and not K, he might be able to score some runs and help the team win some games...

He walked in this game.

[Dave The Dastardly]

11 minutes ago, Old Twins Hat said:

I am thinking that it is time for Brooks Lee to make his MLB debut.

When Lewis gets a timeline, Farmer's days are numbered.  Some team may trade a low A backend pitcher with velocity for infield depth.

You're an optimist. We tend to frown on that.

[Joe Schmitt]

I'm assuming that was sarcasm.  I hope that was sarcasm. :)