Twins 6, Blue Jays 3: Patient Lineup, Stingy Bullpen Salvage Series

[Hans Birkeland]

Image courtesy of © Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images

Box Score:
Starting Pitcher: Joe Ryan: 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K (89 Pitches, 47 Strikes, 52.8%)
Home Runs: Brooks Lee (5), Christian Vazquez (2)
Bottom 3 WPA: Brooks Lee (.169), Christian Vazquez (.165), Willi Castro (.101)
Win Probability Chart (Via Fangraphs):

The Toronto Blue Jays are on a charmed streak right now, taking the first two games of the series at Target Field, with the second game particularly impressive as they scored against both Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran in high-leverage moments en route to a 5-4 victory. To salvage the final game of the series, the Twins turned to Joe Ryan, their starter most prone to being bitten by "bad luck." As Twins fans, we know this to be partially self-inflicted, as the scouting report on Ryan is clearly to rattle him, with him having the tendency to lose focus after missed strike calls, infield hits and misplays.

Ryan's stuff looked crisp to start, as he dotted the edges of the zone while sitting 95-96 MPH with his fastball, even striking out the extremely contact-oriented Alejandro Kirk to end the first.

The Twins took a patient approach against scuffling Jays starter Bowden Francis. Francis was a revelation for the Jays down the stretch in 2024, taking multiple no-hitters into the ninth inning and looking like a building block for a team looking to synchronize the twilight of one core group of stars with the next generation.

Byron Buxton led off with a walk, and Matt Wallner drew one as well later in the inning. Francis was having trouble locating his breaking ball for strikes, and the Twins did a pretty good job of forcing him into the zone with hard stuff, but were ultimately unable to capitalize in a scoreless first.

The Jays looked to go quietly in the second, with second baseman Ernie Clement looking overmatched in the box against Ryan before slapping a two-out single the other way. Rookie Alan Roden then lifted a medium-depth fly ball that Wallner got a so-so break on, diving for a ball that scooted past and allowed Clement to score from first.

The Twins would answer, though not to the extent they would have liked. Willi Castro led off with another walk, followed by singles from Ty France and Brooks Lee. Christian Vazquez got the run home with a ground out, and after another Buxton walk (you read that right) Trevor Larnach just missed his pitch and settled for a sacrifice fly to center. Wallner hit a liner ticketed for the right field corner, but Vladimir Guerrero Jr. made a leaping catch to end the threat.

The third inning felt like a basketball game where a team shot 65% but gave up so many turnovers and rebounds they lost in a blowout. Bo Bichette drew a tough walk wherein Ryan was visibly frustrated with some of the calls. The home plate umpire even shouted out to Ryan, "You think everything is a strike!" Nevermind, Ryan then induced a grounder from Guerrero to Carlos Correa. What could go wrong? Well Correa's shovel pass to second base was way off the mark, and both runners were safe.

No problem. Ryan retired the hot-hitting Addison Barger on a looper to left field. He then got a ground ball from Kirk, a catcher who can't outrun Willian Astudillo—an inning-ending double play was sure to follow. However, the ball found a hole just by the outstretched glove of Lee, allowing Bichette to tie the game. Feeling snakebit, Ryan decided to challenge George Springer, and that has just never been a good idea/ Springer lashed a double down the left field line. 3-2 Blue Jays.

After throwing over 50 pitches over the first two innings, Francis got into trouble again in the third. Castro flipped a two-out single to left and France drew a walk. But Kirk, with a sterling defensive reputation, caught France napping off of first base to end the inning. France, who is so slow he was recently pinch-run for by Jonah Bride, probably didn't need to be straying that far off the bag as the trail runner. It was a TOOTBLAN.

After an uneventful top of the fourth inning, the Twins decided to strike with the very bottom of their lineup, getting back to back home runs from Lee and Vazquez to retake the lead.

The Twins looked to continue the momentum with Buxton hitting a hot shot down the third base line, but Barger made a great pick with even better "pop time" as his strong throw retired the speedy Buxton.

The Twins would add on in the fifth. With one out, Royce Lewis pinch hit for Clemens against lefty Mason Fluharty, who has flashed pretty good stuff in this series. Lewis worked a hard-fought walk and Castro, who has shown more life against lefties lately, smacked a single. That prompted the Jays to insert righty Erik Swanson, whose elbow is hanging by a thread and just returned from the IL. France greeted him with a double the opposite way, scoring Lewis. Lee then continued his great day at the plate with a walk on 3-2 to load the bases. An out later Buxton drew his third walk of the game to buff the lead to three runs.

Ryan was done after five innings, recovering from his rough third inning to post two scoreless frames, capping off his outing by inducing a double play from Kirk. Ryan threw only 53% of his pitches for strikes but his stuff was good and he spiraled less than he could have.

Brock Stewart, Cole Sands and Jax spun uneventful, scoreless innings, all facing the minimum. Jhoan Duran pitched the ninth with a three-run lead, and while he did allow a baserunner, it didn't get dramatic. Game over.

Stray Observations:

-Lee reminds me a little of Larnach last year, never getting super hot, but also not slumping for extended periods of time. His process has been decent and as a fan you don't feel defeated when he comes to the plate in a clutch spot, despite middling offensive numbers.

-Buxton is up to 17 walks on the year, after drawing a total of 20 walks in 2024. His chase rate is down about five percent in the early going, so it is fair to wonder if, in his age 30 season, Buxton is starting to develop an additional "old player skill."

-Lewis looks playable these days (he went 2-2 with a walk today). He may never be the .900 OPS superstar he was in 2023, but if he can be a .775 OPS guy with a good feel for clutch moments and average defense, I think I would take that if he can play 120 games a year. However, after seeing the resurgence of Giancarlo Stanton in the playoffs, there is precedent for a guy who runs like the tin man turning himself back into an offensive force (and Lewis is ten years younger).

-Castro is now sporting a .353 OBP after reaching four times today. This is the version of Castro that made the All-Star team last year while hitting a lot of leadoff. It is likely tempting to put him back there, but I kind of like the wild card element he brings to the bottom of the lineup.

-The Blue Jays managed just one hit after the third inning, with the bullpen bouncing back after a rough day on Saturday.

What’s Next: The likely starter on Tuesday will be Simeon Woods Richardson (2-2, 5.02 ERA), going against old friend Tyler Mahle (5-3, 2.02 ERA) as the Twins finish up the home stand against the Texas Rangers. Mahle has been resurgent in his first full season following Tommy John surgery in 2023 while still with the Twins. His fastball velocity has not fully returned, as he has averaged 92 MPH on the heater. However, the run value of both his fastball and changeup both exceed the 90th percentile, so his success has been legitimate so far. Wood Richardson has been decent in Triple A since his demotion, and will need to remain decent to help keep this starting rotation humming following the losses of Pablo Lopez and Zebby Matthews,

Postgame Interviews:

Bullpen Usage Chart:

	WED	THU	FRI	SAT	SUN	TOT
Durán	12	0	0	20	16	48
Jax	13	0	0	18	9	40
Varland	22	0	0	17	0	39
Stewart	15	0	0	0	14	29
Alcalá	0	26	0	0	0	26
Sands	0	0	9	0	17	26
Topa	0	0	15	0	0	15
Adams	0	0	0	0	0	0

 

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[Parfigliano]

They scored 3 runs today via means other then a base hit.  Vasquez groundout RBI. Larnàch sacfly RBI.  Buxton walk RBI.

[Galen]

Just caught the game on the radio...Anthony La Planta is REALLY good. 

[Blyleven2011]

The twins win and thats great news ...

The month of June and Joe Ryan  ...

Ryan is throwing to many pitches and not going past 5 innings the 2 starts in June  , 3 walks in each start too ...

Is it a reason for concern , I'll wait to decide and just keep watching his starts ...

Like pags above mentioned , 3 runs scored without the benefit of a hit , 2 Homer's in today's game and they were solo homeruns  , when are the twins hitters going to get on base and then get the homerun  , we definitely have a problem when runners are in scoring position  and we rarely come through with a game changing clutch homerun or a clutch single , double , triple or sac bunt to manufacture runs ...

We have to play small ball and help ease the strain on our pitchers ...

Looks like Rocco may not use Adam's before he is sent back to AAA  ...

[mnfireman]

26 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

They scored 3 runs today via means other then a base hit.  Vasquez groundout RBI. Larnàch sacfly RBI.  Buxton walk RBI.

Good teams find ways to win...take that for what it's worth

[karcherd]

Start Festa on Tuesday and use Adams in relief.  You at least save the bullpen for one game.  Then go with SWR on Wednesday.

[Hubie29]

13 minutes ago, karcherd said:

 

 

[DocBauer]

Ryan couldn't seem to get locked in, or stay locked in today, but he did his job. Pens will falter once in a while, as they did Saturday, but they came back clean and strong today. But losing 2 of 3 at home, albeit to a good team that's been hit lately, feels like a missed opportunity. Really need to take the series from the Rangers.

To echo some comments in the OP, Lee isn't put up great numbers. But when I watch him I think he's growing little bit by little bit. I wouldn't be shocked to see him have a pretty good 2nd half.

Has Lewis suddenly awakened? A couple of his hits have been soft, but he's hit a couple hard. And he's been working for some BB as well. Agree that even if...for this year at least...he just might not be that .800-.900 OPS guy we've seen and dreamed about. But showing some power, some solid hitting, and an OPS in the upper .700 range for the remainder of the season still makes him a vital cog. Suddenly the lineup is 6 deep, possibly even 7 if Castro continues to look like the 1st half version of 2024. 

Its crazy to me how France is an OK hitter with an OK OB% and not a lot of power, and has an average OPS, but keeps coming through with runners on base. If he keeps this up, it's hard not to like him as a #7 type hitter. 

Not including Keaschall back in July, there's enough talent for the offense to be mid range ranked, maybe a little better. That might be enough with the pitching we have. But Lopez down, and now Matthews, (hopefully not for long), is going to place more pressure on said staff. 

Worst thing anyone can do is put too much pressure on themselves and try to do too much and be a rotation savior. Everyone just needs to stay within themselves and just do their job on a daily basis.

Read an interesting stat today about Alcala. When he gets the first batter out, he's got an ERA around 1.00. When the first batter reaches, it's sky high. I guess the question is, does he lose patience/confidence when that happens? Or is just a bad day for his control? I bring this up as I don't think the Twins want to give up on him at this point, hoping for a strong 2nd half. But, having someone in the pen who can go multiple innings, possibly Adams, might force their hand with the recent bout of injuries. Food for thought.

Go Twins! Beat Texas!

[Patzky]

31 minutes ago, karcherd said:

Start Festa on Tuesday and use Adams in relief.  You at least save the bullpen for one game.  Then go with SWR on Wednesday.

You're thinking maybe send Adams down for another reliever perhaps after the Festa game? Or let's wait and see who gets hurt..

[Vanimal46]

My niece made the Jumbotron and was handed a foul ball by the on field staff. Today was a good day! Dragged on at certain points but lots of action on the bases for our offense. 

[Vanimal46]

1 hour ago, Galen said:

Just caught the game on the radio...Anthony La Planta is REALLY good. 

LaPanta is the most versatile play by play guy in our market, no question. 

[chpettit19]

1 hour ago, Blyleven2011 said:

The twins win and thats great news ...

The month of June and Joe Ryan  ...

Ryan is throwing to many pitches and not going past 5 innings the 2 starts in June  , 3 walks in each start too ...

Is it a reason for concern , I'll wait to decide and just keep watching his starts ...

Like pags above mentioned , 3 runs scored without the benefit of a hit , 2 Homer's in today's game and they were solo homeruns  , when are the twins hitters going to get on base and then get the homerun  , we definitely have a problem when runners are in scoring position  and we rarely come through with a game changing clutch homerun or a clutch single , double , triple or sac bunt to manufacture runs ...

We have to play small ball and help ease the strain on our pitchers ...

Looks like Rocco may not use Adam's before he is sent back to AAA  ...

The Twins have the 4th best batting average with runners in scoring position in major league baseball. They've actually been very good with runners in scoring position. Their problem is getting guys in scoring position. They're 21st in baseball in plate appearances with runners in scoring position.

[Western SD Fan]

20 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

Has Lewis suddenly awakened? A couple of his hits have been soft, but he's hit a couple hard. And he's been working for some BB as well.

I'm hoping that Lewis has finally put his cape away and found that the best way forward is to be part of a chorus rather than think that he has to be the hero.  His AB's over the last week seem to indicate that he is willing to take walks, not swing at bad pitches, and finally thinking that maybe that soft broken bat single will finally put some confidence back in him.  I'm glad that bat died a hero.

[karcherd]

20 minutes ago, Patzky said:

You're thinking maybe send Adams down for another reliever perhaps after the Festa game? Or let's wait and see who gets hurt..

They will need to send down a reliever when they need another starter for Lopez.  I am assuming it will be Adams because they don't seem to want to cut bait with Alcala.  So let's use Adams in at least one game before sending him back because they have a short leash with both Festa and SWR,  And of course there could always be another injury which could change everything.

[Doctor Gast]

Vazquez look much better at the plate. I felt he was going to smack that ball at that AB.

[Blyleven2011]

3 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

Vazquez look much better at the plate. I felt he was going to smack that ball at that AB.

Yep , besides his defense and great smarts behind the plate , his hitting hasn't been too bad for awhile  , he's got his batting average at about 215 , by end of the year maybe he could hit a little better than the past couple  of twins years , he's motivated because he's a free agent after this season  , I wouldn't mind resigning him again for 8 to 10 million depending on his season with the bat , but for his defense alone , sign him for 6 million or what ever Houston was paying that defensive catcher who I think is catching with white Sox  ( just cant think of his name right now ) ...

[chinmusic]

Buxton with 3 walks!  Who would have thunk it.

Must be a career first....

Apparently it is...according to Gleeman

 

[JD-TWINS]

52 minutes ago, Western SD Fan said:

I'm hoping that Lewis has finally put his cape away and found that the best way forward is to be part of a chorus rather than think that he has to be the hero.  His AB's over the last week seem to indicate that he is willing to take walks, not swing at bad pitches, and finally thinking that maybe that soft broken bat single will finally put some confidence back in him.  I'm glad that bat died a hero.

Lewis could be the best hitter in baseball batting after the Four hole in the line-up …….give it til the All-Star Break ………if he hits .260 going forward instead of .130 it will give the offense a huge lift! By adding him and Wallner, along with Keaschall in another 5-6 weeks, the offense should be solid and sustainable.

[IndyTwinsFan]

1 hour ago, Vanimal46 said:

LaPanta is the most versatile play by play guy in our market, no question. 

He's not bad at this at all, especially since I believe that hockey is his first love, at least in regards to broadcasting and maybe in other regards. 

[JD-TWINS]

25 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Yep , besides his defense and great smarts behind the plate , his hitting hasn't been too bad for awhile  , he's got his batting average at about 215 , by end of the year maybe he could hit a little better than the past couple  of twins years , he's motivated because he's a free agent after this season  , I wouldn't mind resigning him again for 8 to 10 million depending on his season with the bat , but for his defense alone , sign him for 6 million or what ever Houston was paying that defensive catcher who I think is catching with white Sox  ( just cant think of his name right now ) ...

Vazquez - if he hits .225 or better he’s a positive contributor  - $6-7M for continuity in ‘26 and his defense and great bench presence/attitude……worth serious consideration!

[FlyingFinn]

56 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

what ever Houston was paying that defensive catcher who I think is catching with white Sox  ( just cant think of his name right now

Martin Maldanado

And in the "I didn't see that coming department", at least two people want Vazquez back next year for $5 million +. And that is two more than publicly wanted him earlier this season.

[Aerodeliria]

Random unorganized thoughts. 

Every once in awhile, Vasquez does that. It's very hard to explain, but we'll certainly take it.

George Springer is Ty Cobb when he plays against the Twins. He'd be the triple crown winner if he faced the Twins every day. 

I'm never very worried when Ryan is on the hill. He had an off day but still perservered. 

When Buxton takes walks, he becomes a far more dangerous player. 

The only worry I have about Correa is that he might get injured...Buxton as well...

Wallner is a bad fielder...

[Blyleven2011]

1 minute ago, FlyingFinn said:

Martin Maldanado

And in the "I didn't see that coming department", at least two people want Vazquez back next year for $5 million +. And that is two more than publicly wanted him earlier this season.

Thanks for Maldonado  ...

Vazquez's defense will be difficult to replace , Defensive catchers are not as easy to find like in years past  , catchers are leaders and the good ones are  , he works good behind the plate , calls a good game ...

His defense has some value andcit has won us some games ...

I've always liked Vazquez  , can't help it that fans don't like him because he's making 10ml ...

To each their own 

[stringer bell]

I was stunned that Vladdie made third on a single to left. I watched the parts of the game I missed and rewound to that point and 1) Vladdie must be down 20 lbs. from last year and he is moving much better and 2) he had a huge secondary lead. 

[chpettit19]

34 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Thanks for Maldonado  ...

Vazquez's defense will be difficult to replace , Defensive catchers are not as easy to find like in years past  , catchers are leaders and the good ones are  , he works good behind the plate , calls a good game ...

His defense has some value andcit has won us some games ...

I've always liked Vazquez  , can't help it that fans don't like him because he's making 10ml ...

To each their own 

8 million is top 10 catcher money. Defensive catchers are incredibly easy to find. For 4 million or less. Austin Hedges, Tom Murphy, Jose Trevino, Elias Diaz, the list goes on and on. Finding veteran, glove only catchers is incredibly easy and cheap.

Maldonado himself made 5 million 1 year. That was the most he ever made in a season. 

[David HK]

2 hours ago, stringer bell said:

I was stunned that Vladdie made third on a single to left. I watched the parts of the game I missed and rewound to that point and 1) Vladdie must be down 20 lbs. from last year and he is moving much better and 2) he had a huge secondary lead. 

Well, Brooks, maybe don't take a nap in the sun with a guy on first after your slow-arse dive was unsuccessful.  Get back up and get on your bag.  There was no one to throw to at 3rd, with Correa racing over to cover. 

[David HK]

Watching the game on repeat.  I sure like a couple of those young Jays- but please, somebody tell me that Addison Barger's nickname is "Sonny!"  It's old-school, but it's just begging to be done!  (Go ahead and google...  😇)

[knothole61]

So nice to beat the Jays...they came in hot and they have tough, pesky hitters throughout their lineup. We won't see them again until the end of August in Toronto. That should be enough time to recover. 

[Patzky]

10 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Yep , besides his defense and great smarts behind the plate , his hitting hasn't been too bad for awhile  , he's got his batting average at about 215 , by end of the year maybe he could hit a little better than the past couple  of twins years , he's motivated because he's a free agent after this season  , I wouldn't mind resigning him again for 8 to 10 million depending on his season with the bat , but for his defense alone , sign him for 6 million or what ever Houston was paying that defensive catcher who I think is catching with white Sox  ( just cant think of his name right now ) ...

Paddack and Vazquez don't "need to be gone".

[Patzky]

7 hours ago, David HK said:

Watching the game on repeat.  I sure like a couple of those young Jays- but please, somebody tell me that Addison Barger's nickname is "Sonny!"  It's old-school, but it's just begging to be done!  (Go ahead and google...  😇)

Who's Addison Sonny! 😜