Why Twins Should Have Laid Down a Bunt in 10th Inning Sunday

[Matthew Taylor]

Image courtesy of © Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Sunday’s finale against the Astros ended in heartbreak for the Twins. After carrying a 1–0 lead into the bottom of the ninth, the team saw Houston tie the game and force extras. With the new extra-innings rule in place, the Twins started the 10th with a runner on second base. But what happened next raised eyebrows.

Christian Vázquez led off the inning for Minnesota. Facing Josh Hader, one of the nastiest closers in the game, the Twins let Vázquez swing away. He popped up to the catcher, in a non-competitive at-bat: no advancement, no pressure, just an out. The next two batters followed suit with quiet outs of their own, and the Astros walked it off moments later in the bottom of the inning.

On the surface, it might seem like just another missed opportunity. But given the situation, this felt like a strategic failure.

The Astros offense had been nearly lifeless for two games. They managed just four hits on Saturday, and only three through the first nine innings on Sunday. They had scored just three runs in their last 17 innings before scratching across the tying run. The Twins had a great shot to grab some offensive momentum, and one run in the 10th would’ve shifted the pressure squarely back onto a slumping Houston lineup. That made the Vázquez decision puzzling.

Coming into the game, Vázquez was hitting .198, with a .583 OPS on the year. Even with the platoon advantage (against the lefty, Hader), he hadn’t been faring well. Last season, he posted a .200 average and .557 OPS against lefties. This year, that’s dipped even lower to .083 with a .339 OPS. There was little reason to believe he could do damage against a pitcher of Hader’s caliber.

Yes, Vázquez did homer off Hader last season, in a dramatic walkoff moment at Target Field. But he was otherwise 0-for-2 with two strikeouts against him. If the Twins were banking on that one swing happening again, they were chasing ghosts. Vázquez's hitting profile simply isn't the type that thrives against a closer the caliber of Josh Hader.

Maybe Rocco Baldelli didn’t ask Vázquez to bunt because he isn’t a great bunter. That’s possible. But at some point, a major-league hitter has to be able to square around and put the bat on the ball. And if the team truly didn’t trust him to do that, they had options. Kody Clemens and Jonah Bride were both available off the bench. Either could have been asked to lay one down. Yes, that would’ve burned the DH, but in the 10th inning of a road game, with the bottom of the Astros order due up and the Twins likely needing just one run to win, the odds of that DH spot coming up again were incredibly slim. That’s a trade you make without hesitation.

And that’s the bigger picture here. Since the ghost runner rule was implemented in 2020, the Twins have consistently avoided bunting in extras. Their six sacrifice bunts in that time rank 13th out of 15 AL teams. They’ve leaned heavily into the analytics that generally discourage bunting—especially for road teams, where scoring multiple runs is ideal.

But this wasn’t a generic situation. This was context-rich. The Twins had their weakest hitter at the plate. The Astros had one of the league’s best closers on the mound. The Twins had their top of the order ready to cash in a runner from third. And Houston had the bottom of their order coming up in the next half inning. Everything pointed toward manufacturing one run.

Instead, the Twins chose to play it straight. They gave Vázquez the green light. It didn’t work, and the game slipped away.

There’s room in baseball for numbers and nuance to coexist. Sunday’s loss was a prime example of where feel for the game, momentum, and matchup context should’ve mattered more than the numbers in a vacuum. And if the Twins want to capitalize on these tight games moving forward, they’ll need to recognize when it’s time to bunt, even if it doesn’t align perfectly with the spreadsheet.

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What do you think? Should the Twins have bunted? Leave a comment below.

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[TopGunn#22]

You hit the nail on the head Matthew.  This has been one of my biggest disappointments with Rocco since 2020.

In 2019, when the Bomba Squad was setting a Major League single season record with over 300 HR's bunting was the furthest thing from any Twins fan's mind.  But I've said many times on TD I think that season ruined Rocco.  Somewhere in his minor league managing past he had to play "small ball" with a team or two.  Not every team Rocco has managed has had HR hitters top to bottom.

Because of Rocco's philosophy, I don't think the Twins spend ANY time working on bunting, and it shows. In the game of baseball, a bunt can be a HUGE weapon if the circumstances call for it.  Rocco's Twins teams have always been weak in regard to situational hitting.  It's one of the reasons a change needs to made for 2026.

If Vasquez successfully bunts the runner to 3rd, the Astros most likely play the infield in.  That raises Jeffers batting average by 100 points.  When the visiting team fails to tally that go-ahead run, it makes it much, much easier for the home team to scratch that run out.  

I'm not sure how other Twins fans feel, but I'm ready for change.  This is a culmination of 7 years of frustration.  New Owner.  New Manager.  New Front Office.  New Philosophy.  

[NYCTK]

100% disagree. Specifically with your comment that you likely only need one run in the top of the tenth. 

You should always expect the bottom to score the free runner. 

I don't necessarily disagree with the idea of bunting with Vazquez, though, given his inability to hit. 

[Whitey333]

I totally agree with the article.  The Twins have and continue to have one of the lèast fundamentally sound teams in Twins history.  Rocco is too hell bent on analytics and inflexible and not capable of sound in game management.  The great Baldelli after all has led the Twins to miss tge playoffs 3 of the past 4 years.

[Old Crow]

29 minutes ago, TopGunn#22 said:

You hit the nail on the head Matthew.  This has been one of my biggest disappointments with Rocco since 2020.

In 2019, when the Bomba Squad was setting a Major League single season record with over 300 HR's bunting was the furthest thing from any Twins fan's mind.  But I've said many times on TD I think that season ruined Rocco.  Somewhere in his minor league managing past he had to play "small ball" with a team or two.  Not every team Rocco has managed has had HR hitters top to bottom.

Because of Rocco's philosophy, I don't think the Twins spend ANY time working on bunting, and it shows. In the game of baseball, a bunt can be a HUGE weapon if the circumstances call for it.  Rocco's Twins teams have always been weak in regard to situational hitting.  It's one of the reasons a change needs to made for 2026.

If Vasquez successfully bunts the runner to 3rd, the Astros most likely play the infield in.  That raises Jeffers batting average by 100 points.  When the visiting team fails to tally that go-ahead run, it makes it much, much easier for the home team to scratch that run out.  

I'm not sure how other Twins fans feel, but I'm ready for change.  This is a culmination of 7 years of frustration.  New Owner.  New Manager.  New Front Office.  New Philosophy.  

Right on and this was not the first time a bunt was called for this week end.  Saturday late in a close game with runners on first and second and no outs a bunt changes the whole dynamics of the game.  

[LewFordLives]

There was a game in Seattle where the Twins had runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs late in the game. I'm not a big fan of the bunt, but it was a situation that was screaming for small ball. Of course they didn't and failed to move a run across.    

 

It has to be some kind of organizational edict. NO BUNTING!   I don't know how else to explain it.

[shimrod]

Self fulfilling.

Organizational bias against the bunt. Team doesn't waste time practicing the bunt. Team can't execute bunts due to lack of practice. Inability to execute reinforces bias against bunting. 

 

[tony&rodney]

Reality screams repeatedly - the Twins as an organization do not bunt, they do not run the bases well, and they don't play defense. The chosen position players were carefully put together by design as a collective group that the front office feels is the best for earning a playoff spot. The Twins are the slowest team in baseball and remain committed to smashball. That is the reality.

So, do we think the Twins should use a bunt, especially in certain specific situations? Sure, many do, but our thoughts are irrelevant to the organizational plan.

We watch the Twins because we are lifelong fans (since 1961, Game 1 for me), not because of how they play the game. At least that is true for me. If you want to watch good baseball, I highly recommend watching the Tampa Bay Rays among some other teams. I love catching the Rays games. However, I'm still a loyal Twins fan even though they are pretty boring. It is what it is.

[TwinsDr2021]

45 minutes ago, Whitey333 said:

I totally agree with the article.  The Twins have and continue to have one of the lèast fundamentally sound teams in Twins history.  Rocco is too hell bent on analytics and inflexible and not capable of sound in game management.  The great Baldelli after all has led the Twins to miss tge playoffs 3 of the past 4 years.

I don't think this is just a Rocco issue, I think it is an organization thing, plus a league wide thing.

The Astros didn't bunt over Myers in the bottom of the 10th and I told my son that was a huge mistake, and it would have been had Castro caught a ball he should have. (after they did manufacturer a run in the 9th with a walk, SB and Sac Fly) 

It would be interesting if there is a stat that shows in extra innings (Just extra innings of a tie game for the home team) if it is more likely to score the one run you need with 1 out and a guy on third or no outs and a guy at third. 

[David Maro]

Its plain and simple the team doesn't play baseball. They played 9 innings of homerun to score 1 run and still no change. And of course Cory P is calling for the homerun from the booth. This is becoming old and needs to go as well.

[DJL44]

10 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

If you want to watch good baseball, I highly recommend watching the Tampa Bay Rays among some other teams.

Milwaukee comes to town this weekend.

[mluebker]

Why even have a manager if all you do is follow the analytics? Just feed the numbers into ChatGPT or Grok and let the artificial intelligence run things.

[tony&rodney]

9 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Milwaukee comes to town this weekend.

Absolutely love how Milwaukee plays defense and uses every tool available in the game. I just decided to name one team. Milwaukee has the fastest team in baseball.

[mluebker]

24 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

So, do we think the Twins should use a bunt, especially in certain specific situations? Sure, many do, but our thoughts are irrelevant to the organizational plan.

I think a lot of teams forget that baseball is an entertainment industry at its core. The Pohlad philosophy has long been to assemble a team that is competitive enough to make a modest profit—a small handful of stars and the rest adequate. There’s no incentive for them to use every tool in the box or spend the time working on fundamentals. Just keep the payroll low enough to make a profit on a moderately entertaining team.

[Coach Wheels]

There is no managers less original than Rocco. 15 outs from starting pitching, never bunt when it seems obvious (road game vs Hader) are just 2 examples of this practice. Ryan and SWR did exactly what was required this weekend and we have L's to show for it. Twins vs good teams is a struggle this year.

[JBK]

On 5/5/2025 at 1:46 PM, Bodie said:

If he is mainly a DH going forward,  this would have to be considered an abject failure in development. 

 

[JBK]

Rocco does not manage.  The tablet on the bench next to him makes the decisions.

[CharlieDee]

There have been many instances over the years when a bunt would be the right move, but Rocco just won't do it. He just refuses to play small ball.

[OvertheHill]

I will continue to make this point until 1) it changes, or 2) I become unable to appreciate the nuances of baseball. This team, as constructed and managed, has almost completely abandoned the parts of the game that include purposefully moving up a runner, bunting, sacrificing, etc.  The 2019 Bomba thing has been paying negative dividends for 5 seasons now. 

[SD happy]

Not to be a downer, but, FWIW, Jeffers struck out in the next at bat for the second out.

[Matthew Taylor]

4 minutes ago, SD happy said:

Not to be a downer, but, FWIW, Jeffers struck out in the next at bat for the second out.

His approach at the plate would’ve been vastly different if a ball in play gives you a run IMO

[tony&rodney]

32 minutes ago, mluebker said:

I think a lot of teams forget that baseball is an entertainment industry at its core. The Pohlad philosophy has long been to assemble a team that is competitive enough to make a modest profit—a small handful of stars and the rest adequate. There’s no incentive for them to use every tool in the box or spend the time working on fundamentals. Just keep the payroll low enough to make a profit on a moderately entertaining team.

Again, no defense of how ownership operates but one must know or be open to knowledge that tells us a couple of things. TheTwins have outspent every AL Central opponent since Falvey was hired and the philosophy, roster, and type of play within the organization is strictly a front office and manager collaboration. Ownership pays the bills but has zero input into style of play or roster compilation.

[Parfigliano]

2 hours ago, Whitey333 said:

I totally agree with the article.  The Twins have and continue to have one of the lèast fundamentally sound teams in Twins history.  Rocco is too hell bent on analytics and inflexible and not capable of sound in game management.  The great Baldelli after all has led the Twins to miss tge playoffs 3 of the past 4 years.

Rocco's in over his head.  Always has been.  He's horrible at his job.

[Parfigliano]

57 minutes ago, mluebker said:

I think a lot of teams forget that baseball is an entertainment industry at its core. The Pohlad philosophy has long been to assemble a team that is competitive enough to make a modest profit—a small handful of stars and the rest adequate. There’s no incentive for them to use every tool in the box or spend the time working on fundamentals. Just keep the payroll low enough to make a profit on a moderately entertaining team.

Who do they have that is a star?  Buxton and Correa?  That's funny and sad.

[Parfigliano]

38 minutes ago, SD happy said:

Not to be a downer, but, FWIW, Jeffers struck out in the next at bat for the second out.

Because he's trying to hit the ball 450 feet instead of just make contact.

[terrydactyls]

2 hours ago, NYCTK said:

100% disagree. Specifically with your comment that you likely only need one run in the top of the tenth. 

You should always expect the bottom to score the free runner. 

I don't necessarily disagree with the idea of bunting with Vazquez, though, given his inability to hit. 

You "100% disagree" but then you "don't necessarily disagree" with Vasquez bunting?  What are you - a politician?  Pick a side.

[NYCTK]

1 minute ago, terrydactyls said:

You "100% disagree" but then you "don't necessarily disagree" with Vasquez bunting?  What are you - a politician?  Pick a side.

If the premise of an argument is fully flawed but arrives at an ok decision, I can still completely agree with the decision making process that was made. 

[terrydactyls]

3 minutes ago, NYCTK said:

If the premise of an argument is fully flawed but arrives at an ok decision, I can still completely agree with the decision making process that was made. 

HUH?  If the decision that is made matches your expected (hoped for) result, then you agree with the decision-making process?  Otherwise the decision-making process is flawed?  That is illogical at best.

[Patzky]

23 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

Because he's trying to hit the ball 450 feet instead of just make contact.

He's not the guy you want up in the clutch.. but most alternatives offer the same.

[LambchoP]

How many times have we seen guys on first and second with no outs, only to quickly see a pop out/ strikeout quickly followed by a double play grounder to SS? Bring back the bunt. When your offense is struggling as bad as we are, you need to manufacturer runs. Rocco's unwillingness to change up game plans is killing this team. Twins need a true reset. New owners, new manager and a roster shake up ...